70th INFANTRY DAY

70th INFANTRY DAY

Infantry Day was observed across India on 27 October 2017 to commemorate the sacrifices made by the infantry who fought against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. This was the first infantry action by the Indian Army after independence.

Why October 27 is celebrated as Infantry Day?

•     In 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was invaded by tribals who were getting support from Pakistani Army.

•      The then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru ordered the Indian Army for quick action against the invaders. Following the order, the 1st Battalion of the SIKH Regiment was sent to Kashmir.

•      On 27 October 1947, the Regiment was airlifted from Delhi and landed at Srinagar to liberate Kashmir from the invaders.

• It must be noted that the order for the same was made by Nehru after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ acceding Jammu Kashmir to India.

To remember and honor all those members of Indian army of the Infantry who made the remarkable sacrifice in fighting with Pakistani Raiders in 1947 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army celebrated this Day as Infantry Day. About 5,000 tribals invaded Kashmir Valley from Abbottabad on October 22, due to which Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession thus making the Jammu Kashmir an integral part of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the Indian Army today on the 70th Infantry Day. He tweets “Greetings to all infantrymen on Infantry Day. We are proud of our infantry’s exceptional courage and dedicated service to our nation”. In addition, Prime Minister also writes on Twitter, “I bow to all infantry martyrs, who devoted their lives to the nation. Their heroic sacrifices will be remembered for generations to come”.

"Do not lament the death of a warrior killed in the battlefield, as those who sacrifice their lives in the war are honoured in heaven"

Jai Hind.

Written By:

AIL Blog Team