Antony calls for revisiting Laungewala spirit

New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today called upon troops to revisit the spirit of the Indian Army in the Loungewala Battle of 1971 and emulate the valiant acts of bravery displayed by those defending the Laungewala Post.

The Defence Minister who visited the forward Areas of the desert sector, witnessed a demonstration of the 'Battle of Laungewala' fought in 1971, during which the Pakistani onslaught with armour and infantry was stopped dead in its tracks by a company of 23 Punjab and the Indian Air Force.

Mr Antony, accompanied by Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Lt.

Gen Noble Thamburaj, GOC-in-C, Southern Command, and Lt. Gen S N Handa, GOC of the Desert Corps., visited the border area in Tanot Sector and was briefed by Lt. Gen. Handa on operational and border management aspects.

''The grit and determination exhibited by the Indian Army during the Battle of Laungewala is a shining example of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers in the face of the enemy,'' an official spokesman said here today quoting the Defence Minister.

In addition to interaction with Senior Commanders and officers of the Desert Corps, he addressed a large gathering of troops of the Desert Corps.

In his address, Mr Antony commended the troops for their high state of operational readiness to meet any eventuality and called upon all ranks to continue their good work.

UNI RB Mir RK2223