Today, on 27th October 2018, Army celebrated its 68th Infantry Day with traditional somberness and vivacity all across the Northern Command. Army paid tributes to their soldiers in order to honor the extreme sacrifice of the infantry in fighting the Pakistani raiders in Jammu & Kashmir in 1947. The day is observed every year marking the arrival of the first troops in Jammu & Kashmir 67 years back to drive back the Pakistani troops.
Celebration of 68th Infantry Day in various places across Jammu
In the memory and honor of all those members of the Infantry group, who made the extreme sacrifice for the honor and security of the country, the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command Lt. Gen D S Hooda, placed garland on the ‘Dhruva Shahid Smarak’ in Udhampur.
Defense spokesperson Colonel S.D Goswami said “The day was celebrated with traditional solemnity and gaiety all across the Northern Command today, similar memorial services were held all across Jammu & Kashmir”.
On the other side, in Srinagar, the 68th Infantry Day was celebrated with traditional solemnity by ‘Chinar Corps’ at Badami Bagh Cantonment. Rich tributes were paid to the soldiers who sacrificed their life in order to secure the country, Defense spokesperson Lt. CoI. N.N Joshi said.
Significance of the Day
On 26th October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession thus making Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of India and thereafter the Indian Army was sent to Jammu and Kashmir to evict the invaders.
It was the first infantry action by the Indian Army after getting independence and thus, October 27th is celebrated as Infantry Day by the Indian Army.
On this day in 1947, an Infantry from the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment was airlifted from Delhi and landed at Srinagar in order to release Kashmir from the attacking tribals who were supported by Pakistan Army.
The orders were given by the former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession consenting Jammu & Kashmir to India on 26th October 1947. Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru was undertaking the orders.
Another significance of this day in 1947 is that, India as an independent nation was first time engaged in operations against an aggressor, Goswami said.
Statements given by Army Officials on 68th Infantry Day
Lt Gen Hooda, the senior most Infantry officer in the region praised all Infantry men for their devotion towards duty and determined spirit while working under such difficult conditions.
He admitted their marvelous contribution in maintaining the sanctity of the nation’s borders and fighting against the terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir without thinking about their lives.
Infantry is also widely known as the “Queen of the Battle”, which is the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army, and also it is the backbone of the Indian Army and its soldiers bear the main effect in any battle, he said.
“Physical fitness, aggression and discipline are the basic qualities required in these men. The Infantry units of Indian Army have been modernized, equipped and trained to make the force amongst the best in the world”, he said.
He also said by claiming that the Pakistan Army had launched ‘Operation Gulmarg’ in early October of 1947 where they used these tribals to enter Jammu & Kashmir.
The statement also said “Hostilities began in early October 1947, when a tribal rebellion was instigated in Poonch in Southwest Kashmir. By October 20, 1947 the Pakistani Army entered the conflict in support of the tribal forces. On October 22, 1947; a Lashkar of 5,000 tribals invaded the Kashmir Valley from Abbottabad”.
There was a statement delivered by the Army, made a special mention of the delay “Imposed on the Pakistani marauders by the J&K state forces lead by Brij Rajendra Singh martyrdom day is celebrated on 26th October, proved crucial as it gave time to the army to organize its defenses and prevent the invaders from taking over Srinagar”.
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