look news india
The Indian Army celebrates 27th October every year as ‘Infantry Day’ with great pride and respect. This historic day is not limited to just military parades or formal events, but it also reminds of the first and greatest military feat of independent India which saved Kashmir from being taken over by Pakistan. The day of 27 October 1947 is recorded in golden letters in the history of the country, when the brave soldiers of the Indian Army stepped into the Srinagar airport and destroyed the nefarious designs of the Pakistani tribals and the army. The real hero of this historic and courageous military operation was Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, the commanding officer of the 1st Sikh Regiment. He became the first brave officer of independent India who was posthumously awarded the country’s second highest gallantry award ‘Maha Vir Chakra’.
On August 15, 1947, just two months after the country’s independence, Pakistan, resorting to deceit and nefarious designs, attacked Jammu and Kashmir. On the instigation of Pakistani Army, thousands of armed tribals (Lashkar) were moving straight towards Srinagar, destroying Baramulla and Pattan. As soon as the Instrument of Accession to India was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir, the Government of India decided to dispatch the army without wasting a moment. In the early morning of 27 October 1947, Lieutenant Colonel Diwan Ranjit Rai left for Srinagar with a contingent of the 1st Sikh Regiment in Dakota aircraft of the Indian Air Force from Palam Airport in New Delhi. At that time the situation at Srinagar airport was completely uncertain and it was not even certain whether the airstrip was under Indian control or captured by the enemy. Without caring for his life, Colonel Rai along with his contingent made a successful landing at Srinagar Airport and immediately took command.
As soon as he landed at Srinagar Airport, Lieutenant Colonel Diwan Ranjit Rai quickly assessed the situation and took a very bold and strategic decision. They knew that the city of Srinagar could not be saved by merely sitting guard at the airport, as the huge enemy army was rapidly advancing. Colonel Rai with his very small contingent immediately moved towards Baramulla and consolidated his position on a strategic front near Pattan. The number of soldiers and weapons they had were much less than that of the enemy, but their courage and patriotism were unwavering. They gave a befitting reply to the fierce attacks of the tribesmen and held them back for several hours. This bold move of Colonel Rai proved to be decisive in history, as it bought the most crucial time for the Indian Army’s reinforcements (additional troops) and supplies to reach Srinagar from New Delhi.
Encouraging his men amid heavy enemy firing and artillery attacks, Lieutenant Colonel Diwan Ranjit Rai led his contingent from the front. While protecting the front near Baramulla, an enemy bullet hit Colonel Rai and he attained martyrdom while protecting the motherland. His supreme sacrifice did not go in vain; His martyrdom gave valuable time to the Indian Army by which the Pakistani infiltrators were driven away in the battles of Suchitgarh and Pattan and Srinagar was completely secured. For his extraordinary gallantry, outstanding leadership and unparalleled patriotism, Lieutenant Colonel Diwan Ranjit Rai was awarded the first ‘Mahavir Chakra’ (posthumously) of independent India by the Government of India.
Every year on the occasion of Infantry Day, the entire country and every soldier of the Indian Army pays tribute to the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai and the brave soldiers who were martyred with him. It was Colonel Rai’s foresight and fearlessness due to which today Jammu and Kashmir remains the crown jewel and integral part of India. His story is not just a chapter of history, but it inculcates the spirit of patriotism in the heart of every Indian citizen and every young soldier of the army. Even today, when a challenge comes on the country’s borders, the soldiers of the 1st Sikh Regiment and the Indian Infantry remember the same indomitable courage of Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai and remain ready to defeat the enemy.