Rajnath Singh, Army brass pay tribute to Infantry on Shaurya Diwas

New Delhi, Oct 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid tribute to the courage, valour and sacrifice of Indian Army infantry personnel on the occasion of Shaurya Diwas, acknowledging their contribution to safeguarding the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a post on X, Singh saluted the extraordinary bravery and dedication of infantrymen, who have defended the nation through numerous conflicts, from the battlefields of 1947 to the challenging frontiers of today.

He said that Indian infantrymen had stood firm even in the face of overwhelming odds and made the supreme sacrifice to protect the country. Their unwavering commitment to duty, courage and readiness to lay down their lives represented the finest traditions of the Armed Forces, he added.

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.

Chief of Defence Staff General R S Rajasubramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, Director General of Infantry Lieutenant General A K Pundir, Colonels of various Infantry regiments and veterans paid floral tributes at the memorial.

The Army said the ceremony reaffirmed the enduring spirit of the Infantry and its legacy of courage and sacrifice, which continues to inspire generations of soldiers.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also paid tribute to the Infantry, recalling its significant contribution to defending the country across generations. She said that from the battlefields of 1947 to the most challenging forward posts today, infantrymen had consistently defended every inch of the motherland with unwavering determination.

Shaurya Diwas is observed on October 27 every year to commemorate the airlanding of Indian Army troops in Srinagar in 1947, following the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir.

The deployment marked a crucial moment in the defence of Srinagar and the efforts to repel the invading forces. The day honours the bravery, dedication and sacrifices of Infantry personnel who have served on the frontlines and protected the nation's borders through successive conflicts and security challenges.