Watch: Strategically Important Bridge Blown Up In 1971 War With Pakistan Inaugurated

A strategically important 280-foot long bridge in Punjab’s Hussainiwala, that was originally blown up during the 1971 war, was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, The Tribune has reported.

At least four spans of the bridge were blown up during the war, on the intervening night of 3 and 4 December, to prevent armored units of the Pakistan Army from using it for their advance into Indian territory. After the war, the Army built a Bailey bridge to restore road connectivity to Hussaniwala. However, when it developed cracks, the Border Roads Organisation rebuilt a permanent truss-type bridge. The reconstruction of the bridge was started in 2015.

The bridge will facilitate the movement of Indian troops for offensive operations towards Kasur, located south of Lahore, in event of a conflict. It connects Ferozepur to Hussaniwala on the old Ferozpur-Lahore highway and will serve as the only land link for 10 villages in Hussainiwala with the rest of the country.