The martyrs’ graveyard in Lahore Cantonment, the Ghazian-e-Dograi Memorial, hosted a ceremony on Defence Day. At the memorial, floral wreaths were strewn and Pakistan Army troops saluted.
The memorial is in memory of the 106 martyrs from the 16 Punjab Regiment who gave their life in the 1965 conflict to protect Dograi and stop the Indian army’s assault. Due to their accomplishment, the battalion was given the names “Guardians of Lahore” and “Ghazian-e-Dograi.”
Major General (Retd) Sikandar Shami, Brigadier (Retd) Sher Afgan, and Major General (Retd) Ghulam Dastgir—all veterans of the 1965 and 1971 wars—spoke at the gathering on their experiences during both conflicts.
The veterans honored their fallen colleagues and acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s steadfast commitment to national defense. They highlighted the yearning for martyrdom as a characteristic that set them apart.
