Infantry Day - 2011 observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 27 2011:
GOC 57 Mountain Division Major General Binoy Poonen led other Infantry Officers, JCOs and soldiers in paying homage to the 'brave sons of India who have made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty' at the occasion of Infantry Day observance held at Leimakhong today.
According to a statement issued by PIB Defence Wing, Infantry, the Queen of the Battlefield, observes October 27 each year as the Infantry Day.
On this day, 64 years ago, in response to the first threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Nation, elements of the Indian Infantry, landed in Srinagar and resolutely defended Kashmir from falling into the hands of the enemy.
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 stakes its claim on Kashmir and exploited the vulnerable situation by launching an attack with their raiders on October 18, 1947 .
By October 26, 1947, the situation turned grave as the raiders advanced along Uri-Baramulla-Srinagar Road.
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 October 26, 1947 .
At 5 am of October 27, 1947, the Battalion Headquarters and a company of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, hastily musteed from internal security duties in Gurgaon, were flown in to Srinagar.
These valiant soliders fought a gallant action reversing the tide of the battle and saving Kashmir as part of independent India.
To commemorate this maiden action of the Infantry, October 27 is observed each year as Infantry Day.
Today's observance was also attended by about 25 retired Infantry officers from across the state of Manipur.