GREETINGS OF THE DAY - *78th INFANTRY DAY* *27 Oct 2024*

Indian Military Veterans

Jai HindArmy 

GREETINGS  *78th  INFANTRY  DAY* *27 Oct 2024*

 1.    On this day in the year 1947, two Companies of 

*1st Battalion of The SIKH Regiment under the command of  Lt Col Dewan Ranjit* Rai were airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar to liberate Kashmir from the clutches of invading Pakistani Tribals who were aided, abetted and supported by Pakistan Army.  The troops were airlifted in Dakotas based on the request of Maharaja Hari Singh, who signed the Instrument of Accession acceding Jammu and Kashmir to India on 26 Oct 1947.  Another significance of October 27 is that it was on this day in 1947 that India, as an independent nation, was first-time engaged in a military operation against an aggressor. To commemorate that historical day,.. 

*ndian Army celebrates 27 October every year as Infantry Day*

2.    Colonel Rai took near two companies to Mile 32, east of Baramulla, and occupied hill features astride the road. Col Rai was killed in the operation on the evening of 28 Oct in a rear guard action against the attacking horde of raiders. He was awarded MVC posthumously. As the rest of the battalion had not arrived, Major Harwant Singh MC, Commander, Delta Company, who was the senior most officer available with 6 years of service, took over the command of the Battalion. During the period of 13 months fighting, the Battalion had lost 2 Officers, 6 JCOs and 101 OR, wounded 5 Officers, 15 JCOs, and 342 OR and found 1 JCO and 15 OR missing.

3.     On the occasion of Infantry Day, let us take this opportunity to remember the gallant soldiers of Indian Army who sacrificed their lives for protecting and saving the then newly integrated State of Jammu and Kashmir from the aggressor.  

  “Na daro, har so jab jaaye laro nischay  kar  apni  jeet karon”

      *HAPPY INFANTRY DAY* 

LONG LIVE INDIAN ARMED FORCES.