Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 29 2010:
Infantry Day 2010 was celebrated at Leimakhong on Wednesday with the GOC, Maj Gen D S Hooda, and other Infantry Officers, JCOs and soldiers paying homage to the brave sons of India who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
A Special Sainik Sammelan for the Infantry officers, JCOs and soldiers followed the homage paying.
Displaying their solidarity with the people of Manipur all Retired Infantry officers of Manipur had been invited for the Infantry Day, a PIB (DW) press release informed.
Relating the background story of how the Infantry Day got to be celebrated, the press release said that Infantry�the Queen of the Battlfield, celebrates October 27 each year as the Infantry Day.
On this day, fifty-four years ago, in response to the first threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation, elements of the Indian Infantry, landed in Srinagar and resolutely defended Kashmir from falling into the enemy hands.
Procrastinating in the dilemma of choosing between remaining an independent state or joining the dominion of India or Pakistan, the Maharaja of Kashmir found himself in a precarious situation in the wake of Independence.
Pakistan staked claim on Kashmir and exploited the vulnerable situation by launching an attack with the help of raiders on 18 Oct 1947.By 26 Oct 1947, the situation turned grave as the raiders advanced along road Uri - Baramulla - Srinagar.
Much devastation had been caused; Baramulla was overcome and the enemy was within 30 miles from Srinagar when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India on 26 Oct 1947 .
At 5 am on 27 Oct 1947, the Battalion Headquarters and a company of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, hastily mustered from internal security duties in Gurgaon, were flown in to Srinagar.
These valiant soldiers fought a gallant action reversing the tide of the battle and saving Kashmir as part of Independent India.
To commemorate this maiden gallant action of the Infantry in the wake of our independence, 27 October is celebrated as the Infantry day, the press release of PIB (DW) added.