Srinagar, 07 Aug 2025 : A Battlefield Symposium titled “Hajipir – Valour Beyond the Pass” was held on 07 August 2025 at Thimayya Hall, Baramulla, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The event brought together veterans, defence experts, strategic analysts, serving officers and members of the wider academic and defence community to reflect upon, analyse and derive lessons from one of the most pivotal achievements in India’s military history. The symposium was organised by the Dagger Division of Chinar Corps, in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India.
The symposium commenced with an inaugural address by GOC, Dagger Division. Speaking on the occasion, the General Officer Commanding saluted the valiant troops who took part in the operation and said that, “The Battle of Hajipir stands as a testament to the grit, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of our soldiers, their legacy continues to inspire today’s generation”.
The Keynote Address by Corps Commander, Chinar Corps highlighted the enduring significance of the Hajipir operation. He recounted the resolve and valour shown by Indian soldiers in extremely adverse conditions and underscored that the lessons can be applied even in today’s multi domain and multi layered battlefield.
The event progressed with presentations by decorated veterans, engaging panel discussions on battlefield leadership, operational planning, the display of personal memorabilia and rare archival footage/photographs. The event offered a vivid portrayal of the heroism that defined the Hajipir assault. The panellists recounted stories of battlefield improvisation, enduring adverse weather, continuous enemy fire and the jubilation of the final victory. The session concluded with tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
A special session was devoted to sharing personal accounts from veterans who participated in the battle-many revisiting the site for the first time in decades. Emotional recollections reinforced the values of camaraderie and sacrifice, leaving a lasting impression on the younger generation of soldiers and attendees.
In his closing remarks, Maj Gen PK Goswami, United Service Institution of India (USI), reiterated the commitment to honouring the legacy of the fallen brave hearts and congratulated Chinar Corps for hosting such a vivid symposium.
PRO (Defence), Srinagar
