New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry is the outcome of 1947 Pakistan invasion of Kashmir. In response to this invasion, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs formed group of locals , generally denoted as J& K militias to operate near Line of Control. The locals were volunteers from Jammu and Kashmir. The militias made a big contribution during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. It was during 1971 Indo- Pak war, they were awarded three battle honours and got national recognition. It was then that Brigadier Lekhraj Singh Puar of Garhwal Rifles,the then head of J&K Militia brought the proposal of conversion of militia into a full fledged Army regiment. The proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and as a result the J&K Militia was converted into Army regiment known as Jammu and Kashmir Militia.Later in 1976 J&K militia was renamed as Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and till today it is known by the same name. The Regimental Centre of J&K Light Infantry is at Srinagar's Airport Complex in Avantipur.The motto of the regiment is Balidanam Vir Lakshanam (Sacrifice is a characteristic of the brave).July 10, 2013 was the day when another group of brave volunteers from the state of J&K graduated as a part of J&K Light Infantry. Newly graduated soldier performed a parade at a military base on the outskirts of Srinagar, as part of graduation ceremony. Here are the pics from the graduation ceremony of the soldiers:Newly graduated soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry participate in their commencement parade at a military base on the outskirts of Srinagar.A newly graduated soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry gives a command during their commencement parade.Newly graduated soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry take an oath during their commencement parade.Newly graduated soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry march during their commencement parade.Family members of newly inducted soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry watch the commencement parade.A woman kisses the forehead of her son after he was inducted as a soldier.A soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry holds his child after participating in a graduation parade.A newly graduated soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry participates in a commencement parade.Family members of a newly inducted soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry looks out from under a plastic sheet as it rains during the soldier's graduation parade.
