JAK LI diamond jubilee celebrations begin today

Chandigarh, Apr 3 (UNI) The diamond jubilee celebrations and the fourth regimental reunion of the regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) began today at the regimental centre in Srinagar.

According to an official release issued here, the the four-day celebrations commenced with paying of tributes to martyrs who laid down their lives for defence of the homeland.

This was followed by a grand ceremonial parade wherein widows of martyrs were felicitated.

The celebrations were attended by a large number of serving and retired senior officers and jawans of the regiment. Important civil and other dignitaries from the J&K state also graced the occasion.

The JAK LI was raised as a volunteer force on April 15, 1948.

A clarion call was given by the late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, at the historic Lal Chowk for volunteers to come forward, protect the state and push back the raiders supported by Pakistan.

Thousands volunteered with staves, lathies, spears and some with single barrel guns. This facilitated the Indian Army to launch operations with the volunteers acting as guides, porters and even leading assaults.

Later, the volunteers were organised into fighting units under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir militia. The regiment remained deployed along the Line of Control as a regional force and participated in all operations. Soon after the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, the Central Government on December 2, 1972 recognising their valour accorded them the status of a regular regiment of the Indian Army.

In April 1976, the regiment was redesignated as 'The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. In 1976, the regiment had eight battalions. Gradually more battalions were raised. Today, it has 15 infantry battalions, one ecological TA battalion and two other infantry battalions (TA).

The intake for recruitment for the regiment is restricted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir only.

UNI PS JMK1400