New Delhi, December 16: The nation on Sunday remembered the brave Armed Forces and celebrated Vijay Diwas to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa pay tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti in the national capital on Vijay Diwas today. Indian Army Will Not Hesitate to Launch Another Surgical Strike Against Terrorists If Need Be, Says Lt Gen Devraj Anbu; Watch Video. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the brave soldiers for their unwavering courage and patriotism. The Prime Minister took to Twitter and said, "Today on VijayDiwas, we remember the indomitable spirit of the brave soldiers who fought in 1971. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured our country is safe. Their service will always inspire every Indian".

Here's the tweet:

President Ram Nath Kovind remembered and lauded the soldiers for their valiant effort. "On Vijay Diwas, we remember with gratitude our Armed Forces who defended our nation and upheld universal values of human liberty in 1971. In particular, we pay tribute to those who lost their lives in that valiant effort", the President tweeted.

The Indian Air Force took to Twitter and said, "Commemorated every 16 Dec in India, Vijay Diwas marks the military victory of India over Pakistan in the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The end of the war resulted in the unilateral & unconditional surrender of the Pakistani Army".

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore saluted the unparalleled valour of India's armed forces on the occasion of Vijay Diwas. "On Vijay Diwas, a salute to the unparalleled valour of India's armed forces. In 1971, on this day, our armed forces defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh was born. The legendary courage and sacrifice of our armed forces will continue to inspire India for generations to come", Rathore tweeted.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered the  superiority & might of our armed forces on Vijay Diwas today. "Vijay Diwas is a reminder of the superiority & might of our armed forces. This day in 1971, the valour of are soldiers led to the surrender of Pakistan. Salute our forces for their glorious victories & their invaluable service to the nation in times of war as well as during peace", Pradhan tweeted.

On 16th December 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93 thousand troops, had surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka after their defeat in the Liberation War. The end of the war also resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 09:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).