Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Oct 27: The 69th Infantry Day was celebrated by the Army today with traditional solemnity and gaiety all across the Northern Command.
The Infantry Day is celebrated to commemorate the campaign launched by the Indian Army on October 27, 1947 to thwart the Pakistani aggression on the J&K State. In his message to the Infantry, Lt Gen DS Hooda, Army Commander Northern Command complimented all soldiers for their devotion to duty and indomitable spirit while working under trying and difficult conditions. He acknowledged their tremendous contribution in maintaining the sanctity of the nation’s borders and fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The celebrations at the Northern Command, Udhampur were marked by the wreath laying ceremony at the ‘Dhruva Shahid Smarak’. On this solemn day, the supreme sacrifices made by the Infantry fraternity in defending the honour and integrity of the country were remembered by all.
Infantry Day was also celebrated at Nagrota Garrison. The day was marked by laying of wreath by Lt Gen A K Sharma, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps at the Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal and remembering the martyrs. This was followed by special `Sainik Sammelan’ where GoC interacted with troops. Veterans, serving officers and men alike paid homage to the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
On this day, sixty nine years ago, in response to the first threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation, the first elements of the Indian Infantry landed in Srinagar and resolutely defended Kashmir from falling into the enemy hands. On October 27, 1947, the Battalion Headquarters and a company of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, hastily mustered from internal security duties in Gurgaon, were flown in to Srinagar. These valiant soldiers fought a gallant action and reversed the tide of the battle when the enemy was merely 30 miles from Srinagar and thus saving the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
Chinar Corps at Srinagar celebrated its Infantry Day with traditional solemnity. The rich tributes were paid to the martyrs on this occasion by Chinar Corps at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar and in other parts of Kashmir.
While this day celebrates the valour and sacrifice of the Infantry soldiers and inspires the entire nation, it also holds a special significance for the Chinar Corps and the J&K State as it was on October 27, 1947 that the first column of Infantry, the first battalion of the Sikh Regiment was airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar, to save Kashmir from the Pakistani tribal raiders.
“The decision to induct the Indian Army in to the Jammu and Kashmir State was taken immediately after the signing of ‘Treaty of Accession’ on October 26, 1947. The delay imposed on the Pakistan marauders by the J&K State forces led by Brigadier Rajinder Singh whose martyrdom day proved crucial as it gave time to the Army to organise its defences and prevent the invaders from taking over Srinagar,” a Defence spokesman said.
Regarded as the “Queen of the Battle”, the Infantry is the largest fighting Arm of the Indian Army and its units are being regularly modernised to meet all contemporary and emerging security challenges, he said.
Paying homage to the sacrifice of valiant soldiers, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua, said that real tribute to these martyrs would be to remain committed to the cause for which they had laid down their lives.
The 69th Infantry Day was also celebrated today with great fanfare & gaiety in the backdrop of snowy peaks here at War Memorial, Leh. The ceremony was graced by Lt Gen PJS Pannu, GOC, Fire & Fury Corps. Several `Veer Naris’ & decorated war veterans also attended the event in addition to the serving soldiers of the Fire & Fury Corps.
The ceremony for this special occasion commenced with a solemn wreath laying service given by the General Officer to the martyrs. In his address, Lt Gen Pannu, who also happens to be the senior most Infantry officer in Ladakh complimented all Infantry men with special reference to Ladakh Scouts the ‘sons of the soil’ for their devotion to duty & indomitable spirit while serving under highly difficult & trying conditions.
He paid glorious tributes to Col Chewang Rinchen, MVC & Bar, SM along with other gallantry award winners & Veer Naris.
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