Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Oct 27: Infantry Day was observed with traditional solemnity and gaiety across the Northern and the Western Commands today.
On this day in 1947, India as an independent nation was first engaged in operations against an aggressor. The Ist Battalion of the Sikh Regiment commanded by Lt Col D R Rai was airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar to liberate Kashmir from the invading Tribals supported by the Pakistan Army.
Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of the Jammu and Kashmir asked India for military support. On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh singed the Instrument of Accession thus making Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India and the Indian Army was thereafter, ordered to evict the invaders. The entire campaign was predominantly infantry centric and its commencement on October 27, 1947 has been recommended as Infantry Day.
The Pakistan Army had launched ‘Operation Gulmarg’ in early October 1947 using tribals to annex J&K. Hostilities began in early October when a tribal rebellion broke out in Poonch. By October 20, Pak Army entered the conflict in support of Tribal forces. On October 22, a Lashkar of 5000 tribals invaded Kashmir valley from Abbotabad cantonment. Pakistani forces experienced significant success in opening days. On first day they were able to take Domel and then captured Muzaffrabad by October 23. By October 26, they reached closer to Srinagar. With the landing of India Army at Srinagar, the fierce battle started and the invaders started running and many were killed.
In connection with the Infantry Day, the GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen K T Parnaik laid wreath at the War Memorial here and paid respect to the martyrs. Several senior officers of the Command and other ranks were present.
The Nagrota based White Knight Corps and its various formations also observed Infantry Day today. A large number of officers, JCOs and jawans paid homage to the martyrs of the infantry who had laid down their lives in the service to the motherland.
GOC, White Knight Corps (16 Corps), Lt Gen D S Hooda conveyed his best wishes to all ranks on the occasion and exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the service to the nation.
Infantry Day was also celebrated in all the Divisions and Counter Insurgency Force Headquarters of Rashtriya Rifles. The functions in this connections were held at Ace of Spad Division, the Cross Swords Division headquarters, Nowshera brigade and Romeo Force headquarters.
The Tiger Division of the Western Command also observed the Infantry Day with traditional pomp and splendour at Satwari in Jammu South today.
Maj Gen Surinder Singh, GOC Tiger Division laid floral wreath at the Tiger War Memorial. A solemn, yet grand memorial ceremony was conducted with full military honours. Maj Gen Singh, the senior most serving Infantry officers in the garrison, along with serving and veteran officers, JCOs and jawans paid homage to the valiant martyrs who had laid down their lives in the service to the nation. As the last post reverberated on the bugles of Infantry buglers in their colourful Regimental regalia, a two-minute solemn silence was observed in remembrance to the martyrs, who had made supreme sacrifice for the country. Later, the GOC addressed the gathering.
The ceremony revived the memories of the gallant Infantry Comrades-in-Arms, who have valiantly fought and defeated external aggressors on the battle field over the years and safeguarded the unity and integrity of the nation. October 27, is the historic day for the Indian Army, as it was on this day in 1947 that the Army of Independent India undertook its first military operation in J&K and defeated the nefarious designs of the Pak raiders to annex J&K State. Various Army units across the State observed Infantry Day.
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