To commemorate the contributions of infantry, the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army, the Infantry Day is celebrated every year on 27 October. This day has a unique significance for infantry, as it was on this day in 1947 that infantrymen from the Indian Army became the first troops to land at Srinagar airport, an act which turned back the invaders from the outskirts of Srinagar and saved the state of Jammu and Kashmir from a Pakistan backed tribal invasion.
As part of the Infantry Day celebrations, a ‘Wreath Laying’ ceremony was held at National War Memorial to honour the martyrs of the Infantry, who made the supreme sacrifice on various battlefields in service of the nation. Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, and Gen MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff along with all Army Commanders and Colonels of the Regiment, laid wreaths on this solemn occasion. Three decorated veterans of Operation Vijay and Operation Meghdoot Brigadier Umesh Singh Bawa, Vir Chakra (Retd), Subedar (Honorary Captain) Sansar Chand, Maha Vir Chakra (Retd) and Naik Jai Ram Singh, Vir Chakra (Retd) also laid wreaths on behalf of veterans of Infantry. In his message to all Infantrymen on this day, Director General of Infantry exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the core value of bravery, sacrifice, selfless devotion to duty and professionalism, and to remain indomitable in their resolve to defend the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
‘FIRE & FURY’ CORPS
The 74th ‘Infantry Day’ was celebrated yesterday by the ‘Fire & Fury’ Corps at Leh with traditional solemnity and reverence. Lieutenant General PGK Menon, General Officer Commanding, ‘Fire and Fury’ Corps laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Leh and paid homage to all the brave heroes, who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
Indian Army celebrates 27th October every year as the ‘Infantry Day’, as it was on this day that the 1st Battalion of the SIKH Regiment landed at Srinagar airbase and displayed resoluteness and extraordinary courage to thwart the evil designs of the Pakistan Army, who had invaded Kashmir with the help of tribal raiders. The bold and gallant actions carried out by the Indian Infantry Battalions in the ensuing days ensured that the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army were forcefully defeated.
In the Ladakh Sector, Infantry battalions of the Indian Army have been part of every war fought in the Sector, bringing laurels to the Army and to the Nation. The saga of courage and sacrifice displayed during the battle of Rezang La in 1962 and more recently during Operation VIJAY in the Kargil Sector are testimonies to the spirit of sacrifice of the Indian Infantry soldier. Of the 21 Param Vir Chakras awarded till date, seven PVCs were awarded to officers and men who fought in the Ladakh Sector, including three posthumous awards.
In his message, Lieutenant General PGK Menon complimented the Infantrymen for their devotion to duty and indomitable spirit, while serving under trying and difficult conditions. He acknowledged their invaluable contribution in maintaining the sanctity of the nation’s borders in the Ladakh region, with fortitude and elan. He also called upon all ranks of the ‘Fire & Fury’ Corps to continue to draw inspiration from the heroic deeds of the brave-hearts and always keep ‘Nation First’ in all their endeavours.