50 per cent of new recurits in JKLI are from Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 19 (UNI) As mnay as 39 recruits, about 50 per cent of them from Kashmir valley, became proud members of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) Regiment after their passing out and Attestaton parade.

The passing out and Attestation Parade of the 76th Recruit Course of the JKLIn Regiment was held in a glittering ceremony at the Regimental Centre here.

The parade was held at the BANA SINGH Parade Ground of the JKLI Regimental Centre amid a complex of most modern training infrastructure of the Army.

The magnificent background of the Kashmir Valley coupled with the colourful and smartly attired young soldiers of the Regiment presented a majestic view of the whole event.

Brigadier Varinder Singh, Commandant of JKLI Centre, reviewed the parade and congratulated the young soldiers of the very high standard of the parade.

He expressed his best wishes to the young soldiers and asked them to be ready to make any sacrifice for the cause of the Nation.

The parents of the young soldiers who witnessed the parade had their chests filled up with pride on seeing their children smartly marching past them.

A total of 39 Recruits took the oath of allegiance to the Nation.

Of these recruits 18 were from the Kashmir Valley while the rest were from the Jammu and Ladakh Divisions, a senior JKLI officer said.

He said JKLI Regiment, among the youngest and the most decorated Infantry Regiments in the Indian Army, is one of the largest employer of the youth of militancy hit State.

It has one Param Vir Chakra, Two Ashok Chakra, One Padma Bhushan, 11 Mahavir Chakras, Two Kirti Chakra, Two Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Eight Ati Vishishth Seva Medal, 42 Vir Chakras, 19 Shaurya Chakras, Two Yudh Seva Medal, 189 Sena Medals, 13 Vishisht Seva Medal and galore of other gallantry awards to its credit.

The second Ashok Chakra was recently awarded to Late Nb Sub Chuni Lal hailing from Bhaderwah District.

This regiment came into being as J and K Militia in 1948 when the volunteers rallied to the clarion call of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and other local leaders and successfully stalled the Pak evil design of 1947-48.

Passing out parade cum oath taking ceremony depicts graduation of a raw recruit into a trained soldier after rigorous training at the Centre.

UNI