Baramulla, Aug. 10 -- In a moving tribute to one of Kashmir's silent war heroes, the Indian Army on Sunday honoured Noor Mohammad Thaker, a porter from LoC Uri, for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The recognition came nearly six decades after Noor was abducted and tortured by Pakistani forces during Operation Gibraltar, yet never broke under pressure.

During the "Hajipir Valour Beyond the Pass" symposium held at Thimayya Hall, Baramulla, the Chinar Corps Commander felicitated the now-frail Noor Mohammad with a shawl and citation, acknowledging his invaluable contribution during one of the most daring military operations in Kashmir's history.

In August 1965, as Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar ...