India Celebrates 76th Army Infantry Day Today; Check History & Significance

Today is the 76^th Infantry Day, which will be marked at Army facilities across the nation with a special focus on Kashmir, where senior Army, police, and civil administration officials—including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and LG Manoj Sinha—will take part at Old Air Field.

The thousands of infantry troops who have given their lives in the line of duty will be honoured throughout the day.

The First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army battled to defeat the first offensive on Indian land by the Pakistan Army and Lashkar invader on October 27, 1947, in the Kashmir valley, who attempted to seize J&K. This incident is commemorated on October 27 as Infantry Day.

The Indian Army’s infantry division, also known as the “Queen of the Battle” in popular culture, is its main fighting force. Its soldiers take the lion’s share of the damage in battle. The fundamental characteristics needed in these men are physical fitness, aggression, and discipline. The Indian Army’s infantry regiments have undergone modernization, equipment upgrades, and training to become some of the best in the world.

A battery from the 13 Field Unit, an artillery regiment, was given to the Sikh regiment in an infantry capacity at the time when it only had two companies available.

The troops were flown out early on October 27 on two Indian Air Force flights, with the remaining five coming from private airlines. The Lt. Col. Dewan Ranjit Rai-commanded Battalion arrived in Srinagar on October 27.

In order to stop the invaders in their tracks, Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai first secured the Srinagar airfield. He then hurried to Baramulla. He was successful in keeping them at bay, and during this period, further forces were flown to Srinagar to drive the Pakistani invaders back.

Lt Col Rai gave his life in this deed, for which he was posthumously given the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest gallantry award given in the nation.