Shakti Vijay Brigade and the locals of Karnah celebrated ‘Tithwal Day’ at Tithwal War Memorial along Line of Control. On this occasion, Commander Shakti Vijay Brigade, other military and civil dignitaries along with prominent civilians of Karnah laid wreaths at Tithwal War Memorial built in the memory of Bravehearts who laid down their lives and made the supreme sacrifice in service of the motherland and line of duty in Indo-Pak War 1947-48.
‘Tithwal Day’ is celebrated on 23 May every year to commemorate the liberation of Tithwal from Pakistan Army, who had illegally entered the J&K in 1947. The Indian Army launched a counter offensive and the area was recaptured after a bloody battle on 23 May 1948. The gallant acts of CHM Piru Singh and Lance Naik Karam Singh stood out in these battles, with both being conferred with Paramvir Chakra, the highest gallantry award of the nation for gallantry in the war. 1 SIKH, 1 MADRAS and 3 GARHWAL RIFLES were the pioneers in capture of Tithwal. Civilians of Tangdhar played a vital role in the battle to recapture Tithwal. Fighting shoulder to shoulder along Indian Army, thirteen civilians made supreme sacrifice of life for the Nation. The names of these gallant civilians were added to the war memorial in 2018.
163 Infantry Brigade was tasked to advance along Kupwara-Chowkibal-Handwara and Chowkibal axis to cross Nastachun Pass and capture Tithwal. The operations commenced on 18 May 1948 with advance from Handwara and on 23 May, after fierce fighting at several places along the axis, 1 SIKH entered and recaptured Tithwal.
On this occasion, Commander Shakti Vijay Brigade inaugurated and dedicated a newly constructed library at Youth Center at Tithwal to the youth which will help them to enhance their knowledge and prepare for competitive examinations in UPSC. He expressed optimism in Indian Army, Civil Administration and the locals collectively working for development in Karnah and nation building.