Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India visited Srinagar on Thursday to take part in the Indian Army's "Shaurya Diwas" event.
The Defence Minister will travel to Leh later in the day as part of a two-day trip to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
"Today, 27th October, I shall be in Srinagar to attend the 'Shaurya Diwas' programme organised by the Indian Army. Later in the day, I shall be reaching Leh on a two-day visit to Ladakh," said Singh in a tweet.
The courageous infantry personnel and their families received congratulations and well wishes from the defence minister on the 76th Infantry Day.
Greetings and best wishes to our courageous infantry personnel as well as to their families, on this 76th Infantry Day. Indian army has a reputation for being courageous and professional. The country salutes their bravery, sacrifice and service, he said.
Every year on October 27, the Indian Army observes "Infantry Day" in honour of the day in 1947 when the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar Airbase and demonstrated great bravery to thwart the Pakistan Army's plans to invade Kashmir with the aid of tribal raiders.
Since Thursday is also the Indian Air Force's Kashmir Air Base's golden jubilee celebration, both the Indian Army and the Air Force will commemorate this special day as "Shaurya Diwas" this year.
Infantry Day commemorates the first military action of independent India, when the Indian Army repelled the attack on its territory in the Kashmir valley on October 27, 1947.
The First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment soldiers were instrumental for the victory.
Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir this month, making him the second top Union minister to do so.
Prior to this, beginning on October 4, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Union Territory for three days.
The Home Minister inaugurated and laid the foundations for projects in Jammu and Kashmir totaling Rs. 1900 crore and Rs. 2000 crore, respectively, during his visit.
Shah made it clear that J-K is a top priority for the Centre and that the leaders of the three political parties that ruled J-K for 70 years can no longer impose their terms to New Delhi or deceive the trusting citizens of J-K since times have changed.
He cited one of the major accomplishments of the PM Modi-led government as being the transformation of Kashmir from a "terrorist spot" into a "tourist spot" and reassured the people that J & K will continue to prosper under his leadership.
In order to assure the public that the government understands their demands and support them in all endeavours, the Union Home Minister travelled to Jammu & Kashmir.
His statement that laptops have taken the place of stones and the strike culture in Kashmir has stopped was a jab at all such leaders who had previously warned that Kashmir would burn if Article 370, a temporary constitutional provision, was to be repealed.
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