The General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 15 Corps Lt Gen D P Pandey Wednesday said history should never be forgotten, lest it shall be repeated.
“The decision to re-enact the historic Budgam Landings of 1947-48 by 15 Corps of Indian Army is both important and unique. Soon after Independence, Pakistani forces invaded Jammu & Kashmir. On 26th Oct 1947, the ‘Instrument of Accession’ was signed and on 27th Oct 1947, 1st Sikh Regiment under the command of Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai landed at Rangreth Airfield, Srinagar. The Indian Army, men & women of Kashmir, and soldiers of Jammu & Kashmir State Forces showed indomitable spirit and bravery forcing the enemy to withdraw and eventually evicting them and saving Kashmir,” GoC said at the function marking 75th year of Budgam landing.
He said 15 Corps and Western Air Command, on this 75th anniversary, has attempted to commemorate this historical event of air landing operations of 1 SIKH at Budgam airport.
“I fully believe that each moment of this event will be a memorable one,” he said.
“History should never be forgotten, lest it shall be repeated. The people of our country and particularly J&K should remember that when the guards are down the enemy of humanity will prey on innocents. The memory of unilateral violation of the ‘Standstill Agreement’, the rape, murder, loot and arson at Baramulla and other villages & towns of Jammu & Kashmir may seem distant for the current generation and well forgotten. But the enemy of our wonderful nation, the idea of India continues to be devious and evolving in different forms and formats attacking us through sub-conventional domains in both physical and mind space. So this re-enactment is a grim reminder to those who have forgotten the miseries brought upon their elders, the sacrifice of the brave Kashmiris who defended their honour against a brutal, unethical force and the soldiers of Indian Army and Indian Air Force who risked all on this day to land at this very Ground Zero in face of the enemy to save the honour of the nation and unprotected people of Kashmir. So do awaken to the threats around you and protect the honour of the country and also the very idea of India,” the GoC said.
“Today is also the Infantry Day and I wish all the Infantry soldiers of Chinar Corps, whose indomitable spirit and courage keeps our Line of Control defended and lives of Kashmiri population and protected,” he added.