The Indian Army annually observes the 27th October as Infantry Day to commemorate the contributions of the Infantry, the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army.
The day marks the anniversary of the 1st military event of Independent India which took place in the Kashmir Valley against Pakistani invaders on 27th October 1947.
- 27th October 2022 marks the observance of the 76th Infantry Day.
In 2022, the Indian Army and the Air Force celebrate the 27th October as “Shaurya Diwas”, since the day also marks the golden jubilee celebration of the Kashmir Air Base of the Indian Air Force.
Background:
i.On 27th October 1947, the infantry of the Indian army, led by the 1st battalion of the Sikh Regiment commanded by Lieutenant (Lt) colonel (Col) Dewan Ranjit Rai entered the Srinagar airfield in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) to halt the invasion by the Pakistani raiders.
ii.Lt Col Rai was killed in action, on the outskirts of Baramulla. He was honoured with the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously for his gallant action and exceptional valour.
India’s first battle after independence:
i.The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, or the First Kashmir War was the first war fought by independent India and Pakistan over the Princely state of J&K from 1947 to 1948.
ii.This was the 1st of 4 Indo-Pakistani wars that were fought between India and Pakistan.
Observance:
i.On the occasion of the 76th Infantry Day, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan paid tribute to the martyrs and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Defence visited Srinagar, J&K to attend the Shaurya Diwas program organised by the Indian Army.
Events:
To pay homage to the soldiers and people of J&K who laid down their lives and to honour the next of kin of war heroes of the 1947-48 war, the reenactment of the historic event (Budgam landings) was organised at the Old Air Field, Srinagar, J&K.
