IT Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct 28:
The 75th Infantry Day was celebrated to commemorate the contributions of Infantry, the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army, by laying wreaths, at National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour the fallen heroes of the Infantry, who made the supreme sacrifice on various battlefields in service of the Nation, on Wednesday.
This day has a unique significance for the Nation, as it was on this day in 1947 that Infantrymen from Indian Army, led by the Sikh regiment one, landed at Srinagar Airfield and saved the State of J&K from a ruthless and treacherous Pakistani invasion.
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff, Colonels of the Infantry Regiments and other senior officers laid wreaths on this solemn occasion. Three decorated veterans of Indo Pak War 1971, namely Major RK Arora, VrC (Retired), Subedar (Hony Lt) Nand Ram, VrC (Retired) and Grenadier (HonyNk) Amrit, VrC (Retired) also laid wreaths on behalf of veterans of the Infantry.
In his message to all Infantrymen on this day, Director General of Infantry exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the core values of bravery, sacrifice, selfless devotion to duty and professionalism, and to remain steadfast in their resolve to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Country.
The Infantry since time immemorial has displayed fortitude, indomitable resoluteness and dogged determination all through its chequered history. The fighting spirit of Indian Army’s versatile ‘Infantry’ has always been appreciated by all over the world.
Agni-5
In another development, a successful launch of the Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5, was carried out on Wednesday from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy. The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.
Army Commanders’ Conference
In the meanwhile Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Army Commanders’ Conference, a biannual event, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Commenting on the current situation along the Northern borders, Singh expressed full confidence that while troops are standing firm, the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution of crisis will continue. “It is our national responsibility to ensure availability of best weapons, equipment and clothing to our troops braving extreme weather and hostile forces to defend our territorial integrity”, he said. Singh also complimented the efforts of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) working under difficult conditions to connect far flung areas so that our citizens living in those locations are connected and facilitate faster development.
Referring to the situation along the Western borders, he complimented the Indian Army’s response to cross border terrorism. “I compliment the excellent synergy between the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)/ Police forces and the Army in tackling the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The synergised operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is getting the region to a stable and peaceful environment conducive for overall growth and development”, he added.
