Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: The Army celebrated its 70th Infantry Day with traditional solemnity and gaiety all across the Northern Command and other areas.
GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen D Anbu complimented all ranks of Infantry for their devotion to duty and indomitable spirit while working under trying and difficult conditions. He commended their tremendous contribution in maintaining the sanctity of the borders and fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Infantry Day is celebrated to commemorate the operations launched by the Indian Army on October 27, 1947 to thwart the Pakistani aggression on the J&K State.
The celebrations at the Northern Command headquarters, Udhampur were marked by a wreath lying ceremony at `Dhruva Shaheed Smarak’. On this occasion, the supreme sacrifices made by the Infantry men in defending the honour and integrity of the nation were remembered by all.
The Infantry Day was also celebrated in a most traditional and solemn manner at Nagrota Garrison. The day was marked by laying of wreath by Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC White Knight Corps at the `Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal’ and remembering the martyrs. Serving Officers and men paid homage to the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the glory of the Nation.
Wreath laying ceremony was organized at various locations of White Knight Corps to commemorate the 70th Infantry Day. The day holds more significance and pride for the Indian Army, since post independence, this was the first ops launched under a unified and independent India.
General Officers Commanding of all forces paid obeisance to martyrs at respective locations and laid the wreath in remembrance and honour of brave hearts who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the line of duty. The heroes and martyrs of the undaunted Indian Army have not only upheld the hallowed traditions, but also have enriched them by their glorious deeds of valour and sacrifice.
40 ex-servicemen from Palma and nearby areas also attended the function at Romeo Force War Memorial. Honorary Captain Baldev Singh (Retd), the senior most ex-servicemen present on the occasion also paid homage by laying wreath at the war memorial.
The Kargil Army Sentinels celebrated its 70th Infantry Day at War Memorial in a function held at Kargil helipad. The brigade Commander of Gargil Infantry brigade was the chief guest. He paid floral tributes to the martyrs along with other officers and jawans.
A wreath laying ceremony was organized at the Romeo Force War Memorial in Palma Garrison, Rajouri with traditional solemnity to commemorate the 70th Infantry Day. Major General Raj Sinha, General Officer Commanding Romeo Force paid homage to martyrs and laid the wreath in remembrance and honour of all those who made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the line of duty.
On October 27, 1947, the first Indian Army contingent of Ist Battalion The Sikh Regiment landed at the Srinagar airfield and defended Srinagar from Pakistani invaders. The gallant Infantrymen fought with courage alongside the state forces. The entire campaign was predominantly Infantry centric and thus October 27 is commemorated as Infantry Day.
The Indian Infantry not only proved its mettle in the two World Wars, but has made outstanding contributions in the four wars since Independence. Their accomplishments at Siachen Glacier on the treacherous peaks on the Line of Control (LoC) and while fighting militancy in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East have won them accolades.
Dah Division celebrated the 70th ‘Infantry Day’ with wreath-laying ceremony at the Dah War Memorial located at Palampur Cantt. Wreaths were laid at war memorial by General Officer Commanding, Dah Division and other senior officers, senior veterans, serving officers and soldiers.
Next of kin of martyrs including Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) and Shaheed Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, Ashok Chakra, Bar to Sena Medal (Posthumous) also paid tribute to the martyrs during the occasion. Two- minute silence was observed in reverence of all those valiant Infantry men, who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
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