Delhi road-crossing renamed to commemorate Indian soldiers' sacrifice in liberation of Haifa in WWI

NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday renamed an important road-crossing as "Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk" in remembrance of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives for getting Israeli city of Haifa liberated during the World War I.

The three bronze statues at Teen Murti represent the lancers from three Indian cities - Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore, who were part of the "15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade". The brigade carried out the victorious assault on the fortified Israeli city of Haifa on September 23, 1918, during the World War I.

There are various accounts of this battle, narrating the valour of the Indian soldiers who undertook the assault on the garrisoned town protected by a joint force of Ottomans, Germany and Austria Hungary.

The capture of Haifa cleared a route for the Allied Forces to the city through the sea. As many as 44 Indian soldiers had made the ultimate sacrifice during the liberation of the city.

Modi wrote in the visitors book kept at the Teem Murti Memorial:"I am deeply honoured to stand here today to salute the valiant soldiers, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa during the first World War." He also wrote that next year the centenary of the Battle of Haifa would present another opportunity to mark the enduring bond between India and Israel.

During Modi's visit to Israeli last year, both premiers laid wreaths at the "Indian War Cemetery" in Haifa. They also unveiled a plaque commemorating Indian soldier Major Dalpat Singh, who led the successful cavalry charge that resulted in the liberation of Haifa. Enditem