Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: The Indian Army today celebrated 64th Infantry Day with traditional solemnity and gaiety all across Jammu and Kashmir.
It was on October 27, 1947 that a Company of Infantry of The First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment was airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar, to liberate Kashmir from the invading tribals supported by the Pakistan Army.
On this occasion in the Northern Command, Lt Gen HJS Sachdev, the Chief of Staff of Northern Command, laid wreath on the “Dhruva Shahid Smarak” in Udhampur, in remembrance and honour of all those members of the Infantry fraternity, who made the supreme sacrifice for the honour and safety of the country in Jammu and Kashmir.
In his message to the Infantry, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command complimented all Infantrymen for their devotion to duty and indomitable spirit while working under difficult conditions. He acknowledged their tremendous contribution in maintaining the sanctity of the nation’s borders and fighting terrorism in J&K, where they are at the forefront and have suffered casualties, besides earning many gallantry awards.
Similar memorial services were held all over Jammu and Kashmir.
Major General Ashwani Kumar, General Officer Commanding of Tiger Division laid the floral wreaths at J&K State Forces War Memorial and Tiger War Memorial in Jammu Cantt, today during a grand and solemn memorial ceremony with full Military honours. Brigadier JS Rajpurohit, Deputy General Officer Commanding, also being the senior most serving Infantry officer in the garrison, alongwith serving and retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Jawans paid homage to the brave soldiers, who laid down their lives for the country.
Lt Gen D S Vadhera (Retd) laid wreath on behalf of all retired officers, while Honorary Captain Bana Singh, Param Veer Chakra laid wreath on behalf of all retired Junior Commissioned Officers and Jawans.