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Jammu: Veterans are paying Homage to Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Mahavir Chakra(posthumous), the Saviour of Kashmir, Recipient of the First Gallantry Award of independent India, at 11 AM on 26 October, the Accession Day, made possible by him with 100 Dogra soldiers of J &K State Forces, at Brigadier Rajinder Singh Memorial Chowk near Secretariat Jammu.

Due to Covid Pandemic, it has been decided to remember him by lighting Diyas/candles at 7 pm on Monday at home. It was on this night of 26 and 27 Oct, at 2 AM in 1947, that he was ambushed near Rampur Buniyar on Uri front after the Accession had been signed by Maharaja Hari Singh and accepted, and his entire J&K State Forces taken over by the Indian Army, that he decided to be the Last Man as ordered by his Ruler Maharaja Hari Singh which actually saved the State.

Within 6 hours of his martyrdom on 27 October 1947, the Indian Army started landing at Srinagar Airport which is also celebrated as Infantry Day, again made possible due to the Dogras’ gallant action which held the raiders at Garhi long enough to blow the Uri Bridge which saved the State.

If any soldier of India deserves Bharat Ratna, it is Brigadier Rajinder Singh. Time has come for the Dogras to speak up. – Gen Goverdhan Jamwal. President J&,K Ex-services League.

Updated Monday 26 October 6 pm: Army veterans and prominent citizens paid homage to Brigadier Rajinder Singh at a special function in Jammu to mark the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, on 26 October 1947. By executing this document under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh agreed to accede to the Dominion of India.