To honour the profound legacy of one of the most significant battles of the Second World War, Assam Rifles, in coordination with troops of 4 Maratha Light Infantry and the local community, commemorated Shangshak Day in Ukhrul. The day was marked by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Shangshak War Memorial, paying homage to those who stood firm against advancing Japanese forces in 1944, informed IGAR(S) in a press release.
The Battle of Shangshak remains a remarkable testament to the resilience of the 4 Maratha Light Infantry and represents a unique chapter of civil-military cooperation. Fought from March 20 to 26, 1944, this critical engagement saw a force of approximately 3,000 personnel successfully stall the Japanese 31st Division for six days, providing the British 14th Army vital time to reinforce Kohima and Imphal. The names of the brave soldiers and local civilians who made the supreme sacrifice during this defensive stand are immortalised on the memorial, serving as a lasting tribute to their collective courage. The ceremony commenced with a joint wreath-laying by a group of 30 security personnel and village elders, followed by a two-minute silence observed in quiet gratitude, it said.
