India, Feb. 24 -- The 24th homage paying ceremony was held at the Noida Shaheed Smarak on Monday, bringing together serving and retired soldiers, next of kin of personnel killed in action, and residents.

Families of 45 personnel killed in action laid wreaths at the memorial to pay their respects.

Krishna Kumar, a family member of one of the fallen soldiers, said, "My brother was killed in action in 1999. I attend the ceremony every year to pay my tribute."

Shaheed Smarak was the only tri-services memorial in the country to honour soldiers killed in action before the National War Memorial was built at India Gate. The memorial in Noida was established on April 13, 2002.

"The ceremony aims to bring together soldiers, next of kin of those...