Lt Gen Surinder Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, lays a wreath at the Veer Smriti to mark the 69th Infantry Day in Chandimandir on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Chandigarh, October 27

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Veer Smriti war memorial to commemorate the 69th Infantry Day at Chandimandir military station today. Lt Gen Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, along with senior veterans, paid tributes to martyrs.Infantry Day is customarily observed on October 27 every year as it was on this day in 1947 that the first Indian soldier, from the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, landed at the Srinagar airport to defend the Kashmir Valley against the onslaught of Pakistani raiders.Maj Somnath Sharma of the Kumaon Regiment won the first Param Vir Chakra (posthumously) during these operations in the Battle of Badgam. Ever since, the Infantry has stood tall against all adversities and played a stellar role in all operations post-Independence, including counter-insurgency and internal-security duties. — TNS