27 October 1948 will always be remembered in the Indian Army's history. On this day, a battalion of the Sikh Regiment was flown into Srinagar, to save the city from raiders. Thereafter the Indian Army has been celebrating this day as the Infantry Day.

The Infantry has been the guardian of our frontiers - from the icy slopes of Siachen in the North, to our island territories in the South, to the high mountains in the East, to the deserts in the West. Our Infantry Regiments have also served under the UN flag in Korea, Congo and Sri Lanka to name a few. 

On the occasion of this day, we take the liberty of bringing some snippets from the Regiment's history.

Major Som Nath Sharma, with one arm in plaster, and his gallant band of Kumaonis withstood enemy attacks of 800 men. The Major was killed by a mortar shell and was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra.

The Indian Army made substantial gains in the Tithwal sector which led to the capture of Tithwal. Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a forward outpost when the enemy attacked the post eight times. The Sikhs repulsed the enemy every time. Lance Naik Karam Singh was killed in the attack and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was one of the two officers to win the Highest gallantry award in Peace Keeping Operations abroad. On 5th December 1961, a Gorkha company supported by 3-inch mortar attacked a roadblock, set-up by the Katangese troops.The enemy roadblock was destroyed and the Gorkhas established a UN roadblock there. When Captain Salaria in a platoon strength tried to link up with the Gorkha company to reinforce the roadblock, he met strong opposition . He was able to link up, but was killed in the process, and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

During the 1962 Indo-China War, Subedar Joginder Singh commanded a platoon in the NEFA sector. On  October 23rd, the enemy launched a heavy attack, and the platoon lost half of its men, but not the will to fight. The last wave of attack was more determined. Subedar Joginder Singh manned a light machine gun and killed a large number of enemies. He led a bayonet charge with his men. They fell upon the advancing enemy. Finally better weapons and numerical superiority of the enemy prevailed and Subedar Singh was killed in this epic battle, and was also posthumously awarded the highest wartime gallantry medal - the Param Vir Chakra.

In the 1971 operations, Naik Albert Ekka was part of a company that was tasked to capture the Ganga Nagar, in East Pakistan. Since a Heavy Machine Gun was holding up the attack, Naik Ekka personally went to destroy the impediment. Though badly wounded in the process, he continued till the gun was destroyed. In the process he lost his life. For his most conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice, Lance Naik Ekka was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.

On 25th November 1987, Major Parameswaran, posted with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, was returning with his column late in the night. Suddenly, his column was ambushed by a group of militants. With great presence of mind, he encircled the militants from the rear and charged them. During hand to hand combat that followed, one militant shot him in the chest. Though critically wounded, he continued to give orders and inspire his command till he breathed his last. For his bravery and supreme sacrifice, Major Parameswaran was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra .

During the Kargil Operations last year, every peak that was in the hands of the enemy was recaptured. Out of the 700 odd casualties, almost 80% were from the Infantry. Tiger Hill, Point 5140, 4700, and Khalubar - the names evoke the soldiers who lost their lives recapturing them.

Finally, one can only repeat the words of the epitaph at the Kohima War cemetery which says, "When you go back home, tell them we gave up our today for their tomorrow."