Army celebrated 'Infantry Day' by recreating Budgam landing

Every year the Indian Army celebrates 'Infantry Day' on 27 October. Because on this day in 1947, the Sikh Regiment of the Army landed in Srinagar in a special Dakota aircraft of the Air Force and freed Jammu and Kashmir from the clutches of the Pakistani Army and tribals.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted all the personnel of the Indian Army on Infantry Day.
• On this occasion, all the senior military officers of the Infantry Regiment including CDS General Anil Chauhan paid tribute at the National War Memorial.

Recreation of Budgam-Landing:

• A recreation of Budgam-landing was organized at Srinagar Airport during 'Infantry Day'. In this, Bravery Day was celebrated together by the Army and Air Force.
• On this occasion, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Manoj Pande also participated in the program.

Why is Infantry Day organized on 27 October?

• After the independence of India, Jammu and Kashmir officially merged with the country on October 26, 1947. Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession to India.
• After the signing of the Instrument of Accession, the Indian Army landed at Budgam Airport on October 27, 1947 and this day is celebrated as 'Infantry Day'. After a few years, in 1956, it was declared a part of the Indian Union.
• Finally, on August 5, 2019, the Government of India abolished Article 370, the constitutional provision giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and divided it into two union territories.

Why does 'Infantry Day' have special significance for the Indian Army?

• After independence, Pakistan had planned to annex Kashmir. To accomplish this, on 22 October 1947, Pakistan sent 5 thousand tribals to infiltrate into Kashmir and capture it.
• After Maharaja Hari Singh signed the agreement of merger of Jammu and Kashmir with India, an infantry squad from the 1st battalion of the Sikh Regiment of the Army was airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar. 
• And finally on October 27, 1947, Indian infantrymen liberated Kashmir from the tribals. To remember this incident, 'Infantry Day' is celebrated in the memory of foot soldiers.