Martyrs remembered on Infantry Day

Udhagamandalam: The 71st Infantry Day was observed at the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) in Wellington near Coonoor in the Nilgiris on Friday. To mark the day, an impressive wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Madras Regimental War Memorial, a stately and prominent landmark in Wellington.

It was on this momentous day in 1947 that the first infantrymen air-landed in Kashmir Valley and routed Pakistani invaders from the vicinity of the Srinagar Air Field, thus saving Srinagar from falling into enemy's hands. With the enemy thrown back, the infantry proved to be the saviour of Kashmir and its populace. Interestingly, it was the first glorious action of the Indian Army in the post-independence era.

Among those who laid wreaths at the war memorial on Friday were brig Ajit Singh, VSM (retd), brigadier and SK Sangwan, VSM, commandant, MRC.

Braving heavy rains, the infantry fraternity from the MRC, apart from serving and retired officers of various ranks, took part in the celebration.