Aadil Abdullah
Srinagar, Oct 31 : Officers and soldiers from the Indian Army’s Rana Battalion brought festive cheer to the remote border area of Block Bagtore, near the Line of Control (LOC) in the Gurez sector of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
An official spokesperson said as part of the Diwali celebrations, the Army distributed sweets and visited households, underscoring their dedication to fostering harmony and goodwill in this border region.
Expressing his gratitude, local resident Mohd Sultan remarked, “Today, the whole country is celebrating Diwali, and the Indian Army celebrated with us here at Block Bagtore. The Army celebrates every festival with us, including Eid, Dussehra, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and others”. Officers from the Rana Battalion visit door-to-door, distributing sweets to people, including children. I urge people in the area to celebrate upcoming festivals with our Army, as they support us every time.”
Former Sarpanch of Kanzalwan, Ghulam Mohideen Lone, echoed these sentiments, praising the Army for its consistent engagement with the local community, especially during major festivals. “The Army celebrates every festival with us, whether it’s Diwali, Eid, or others. Today, they visited each household to distribute sweets, and we are truly grateful for this gesture,” he said.
“It reflects the strong bond and mutual respect between the Army and the residents of the border areas in Gurez Valley.”