The nation is honoring the courage and ultimate sacrifice of security forces today as Shaurya Diwas (Bravery Day) is being observed at Sardar Post in the border district of Kutch in Gujarat. This day commemorates the extraordinary bravery displayed by CRPF personnel during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict.
Shaurya Diwas is observed every year on April 9 to commemorate the exceptional courage and bravery displayed by security forces during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict. On this occasion, senior officials and personnel of the CRPF will pay tribute to the martyrs with a Guard of Honour, while tributes will also be offered through a musical performance.
It may be recalled that in April 1965, Pakistan attempted to capture Indian border areas under 'Operation Desert Hawk'. At that time, CRPF units were deployed at Sardar and Tak Posts in the Rann of Kutch. On the morning of April 9, an infantry brigade of around 3,500 Pakistani soldiers launched a sudden attack on these posts.
The CRPF personnel displayed exemplary courage and gallantry, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the enemy to retreat. In the operation, 34 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 4 were captured alive.
In this brave engagement, seven CRPF personnel made the ultimate sacrifice. Despite being a small contingent, they held off a much larger enemy force for nearly 15 hours, an achievement considered remarkable in military history.