Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday paid tribute to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, calling their sacrifice the highest expression of love for the nation.
In a message posted on X, the chief minister said the country remains eternally indebted to the fallen martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
He described their sacrifice as a symbol of courage, patriotism and selflessness that will never be forgotten.
The Pulwama attack, one of the deadliest strikes on Indian security forces, took place on February 14, 2019, when a convoy of CRPF personnel was targeted at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering nationwide mourning and grief.
February 14 is now observed every year across the country as a day of remembrance for the soldiers who died in the attack.
ALSO READ: Bomb threat triggers security alert on Shillong-bound flight at Kolkata airport
Marking the same date as a moment of historical significance for Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu also commemorated Major Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing, recalling his 1951 expedition to Tawang, which led to the peaceful integration of the region into the Indian Union.
The chief minister highlighted Khathing’s role in hoisting the tricolour in Tawang without a single shot being fired, describing the mission as a landmark moment in the state’s history.
He also paid tribute to Khathing’s distinguished service as both a soldier and diplomat, crediting his leadership for securing India’s frontiers and strengthening bonds with local communities.
Major Bob Khathing’s legacy, Khandu said, continues to inspire generations in Arunachal Pradesh, symbolising courage, restraint and statesmanship that shaped the region’s place within the Indian Union.
As Report
Mentioned in The Print
