PDA

View Full Version : History of Infantry Day



ranjitjat
October 28th, 2003, 11:08 PM
57th Infantry Day: Soldiery salute to lost sentinels
Our Correspondent

Meerut, October 27
The 57th Infantry Day was celebrated here by the Pine Infantry Division with the full pride of a soldier. The celebrations began with wreath-laying at 9 am at the Pine Division War Memorial, where rich tributes were paid to the brave soldiers, who sacrificed their today for countrymen’s tomorrow.

The Infantry Day is significant for the nation. The Indian Army valiantly defended Kashmir from falling into the enemy’s hands on this day.

To commemorate the infantry’s gallant action, October 27 is celebrated as the Infantry Day.

Senior-most serving infantry officer of Meerut station, General Officer Commanding Major-General, R K Singh, VSM first laid the wreath at the war memorial and then saluted the soldiers.

Jawans also paid homage to the soldiers by reversing their weapons. In an exclusive conversation with the ‘NCR Tribune’ at the site of war memorial, GOC Major-General R K Singh said that the infantry is a backbone of any army and plays a vital role in war. Even though it is ably supported by other corps in war, it is the infantry first, which is needed for controlling ground, when we finally say, we have won, the Maj-General added.

As for as the ground holding factor is there, the victory can be achieved only after the ground is totally controlled by the infantry personnel.

He said that the maximum sacrifice has been done by the infantry officials as they are the first who face bullets.

For the last 15 years, infantry has also been deployed in the far-off insurgency-affected areas like J&K and the North-East. In 1947, Pakistan staked claim on Kashmir for its being a predominantly Muslim state and exploited the vulnerable situation by launching an attack with the help of raiders Kabailies/Pathans on October 18, 1947.

By October 26, 1947, the situation turned grave as the raiders advanced along URI-Baramula-Srinagar road.

On October 27, the battalion headquarters and a company plus of the first battalion of the Sikh Regiment, hastily mustered from its security duties at Gurgaon and were flown into Srinagar.

These soldiers fought valiantly reversing the tide of the battle and thus saving Kashmir for India. To commemorate this gallant action of the infantry, October 27 is celebrated as the Infantry Day.

A Sainik Sammelan for all ranks of the infantry, including officers, JCOs and NCOs of both formations, and of stations, was also held. Major-General R K Singh addressed the sainiks and also had an interaction with the jawans of various units.

A written massage of the director-general, artillery was also read.