Dedicated to the Brave Soldiers who died fighting for the Country

[Sikh_warrior]

MODS: could we have a dedicated thread for the brave soldiers who die fighting for the country?

if such a thread is already there, please merge this one with the existing one.

 

[sayareakd]

Only posting name of soldier would be better idea, as giving the name of unit would cause problem, there were incidents where ISI was tracking the unit name etc from the obituaries posted in news papers.

 

[Yusuf]

Thanks for starting the thread. It has been made a sticky.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Our Heroes..

Captain Saurabh Kalia
29 June 1976 – 21 June 1999

In the first fortnight of May 1999, he went out for patrol duty three times in the Kaksar area of Kargil. He observed and reported large-scale intrusion of Pakistani Army and foreign mercenaries in Indian side of LoC (Kargil). He assumed guard of "Bajrang Post" at the height 13,000-14,000 feet to check infiltration along with 5 soldiers in the Kaksar area.

On May 15, 1999, after a continuous cross fire with Pakistan armed forces from across the LoC, he and his troops ran out of ammunition. It is also believed that their signal instrument was out of order, or not working in those conditions. They were finally encircled by a platoon of Pakistan rangers and captured alive before any Indian reinforcement could reach for their help. No trace of this entire patrol was left and Skardu Radio of Pakistan reported that Lt. Saurabh Kalia and five of his men were captured alive.

They were in their captivity for over twenty-two (May 15, 1999 – June 7, 1999) days and subjected to unprecedented brutal torture as evident from their bodies handed over by Pakistan Army on June 9, 1999.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Capt.Vikram Batra
Param Vir Chakra(Posthumous)
September 9, 1974 – July 7, 1999

Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, and his Delta Company was given the task of recapturing Point 5140. Nicknamed Lion King ('Sher Shah' in Hindi) , he decided to lead the rear, as an element of surprise would help stupefy the enemy. He and his men ascended the sheer rock-cliff, but as the group neared the top, the enemy pinned them on the face of the bare cliff with machine gun fire. Captain Batra, along with five of his men, climbed up regardless and after reaching the top, hurled two grenades at the machine gun post. He single-handedly killed three enemy soldiers in close combat. He was seriously injured during this, but insisted on regrouping his men to continue with the mission. Inspired by the courage displayed by Captain Batra, the soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles charged the enemy position and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on 20 June 1999. His company is credited with killing at least eight Pakistani soldiers and recovering a heavy machine gun.

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes, such as Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and Three Pimples. Along with fellows Captain Anuj Nayyar and Rfl Sanjay kumar(PVC), Batra led his men to victory with the recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875. He was killed when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 7 July 1999. His last words were, "Jai Mata Di." (which means in English 'Hail the Divine Mother'). For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lieutenant Kannad Bhattacharya
Sena Medal (Posthumous)

A patrol consisting of eight other ranks led by Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya was tasked to establish a foothold on North Eastern ridge near Tiger Hill. The route was inaccessible and was covered with snow. While Sepoy Major Singh was climbing up, he detected movement of intruders coming down with heavy weapons towards them. He informed the patrol leader who ordered the patrol to deploy. The intruders started firing at the patrol with heavy automatic and sniper fire. Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya and Sepoy Major Singh divided the patrol into two groups and started engaging the intruders from different positions thereby displaying outstanding professional competence. Heavy exchange of fire continued between Lieutenant Kanad's patrol and the intruders.

The patrol kept constantly returning the fire with full poise and determination. In the ensuing fire fight a number of patrol members including Lieutenant Kanad received multiple gun shot wounds which was reported later by other personnel of the patrol. Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya along with two other ranks laid down his life in the highest tradition of the service. The patrol could not come back and was declared missing in action on 21 May 99. The body of SS-37818M Late Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya was recovered from the area of action where it was found buried in the snow, on 15 Jul 99 after the capture of Tiger Hill.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Captain Jerry Prem Raj
Vir Chakra posthumously.

He answered the call of duty and rejoined the unit in Operation Vijay under operation Rakshak after voluntarily cutting short his honeymoon. On the night of 06/07 Jul 1999, he was the Forward Observation Post Officer with 2 Naga during its assault on Twin Bumps in area Point 4875 (Gun Hill) in Dras Sector. During the assault, while directing the artillery fire onto the enemy positions with devastating effect, he was wounded by enemy sniper fire.

Undeterred, he continued his mission amidst heavy enemy fire, when he was yet again hit by a volley of enemy machine gun fire. Gravely injured, he refused to be evacuated and continued to direct accurate artillery fire onto the enemy till he succumbed to his injuries. His spontaneous action resulted in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and in the capture of the objective by assaulting infantry. The exceptional display of raw courage and steely resolve in the face of insurmountable odds earned Captain Jerry the award of a 'Vir Chakra' posthumously.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Mariappan Saravanan
Vir Chakra posthumously.

The First Bihar Regiment was in Assam when the Kargil War broke out. They were ordered to move to Kargil, Jammu, and Kashmir. From the heat of Assam to the cold of Kargil wasn't an easy change. There wasn't enough protective weather gear.


On the night of May 28, 1999, Major Sarvanan was assigned the task of capturing a well-fortified Pakistani position at 14,229 feet (4,337 m) in the Batalik sector. He and his men launched an attack at 04:00. Despite intensive firing from the enemy with artillery and automatic weapons, they charged into a volley of bullets. Saravanan fired a rocket launcher into the enemy position that killed two enemy soldiers. During the combat, he was hit by shrapnel and injured but continued fighting. His commanding officer ordered him to retreat because too many Indian soldiers had been injured. 'Genghis Khan fall back,' came the order. 'Not today sir, we are very close to the objective,' replied Sarvanan who was code named Genghis Khan. He killed two more invaders but this time he was hit by a bullet in the head at 06:30, his body nestled in the snow. A friend in Bangalore called his mother and told her Saravanan had died in Kargil. "We switched on the television and saw it in a news bulletin." Two days later, the official telegram arrived. "He was the first officer to fall".
The Vir Chakra was awarded to Saravanan posthumously and presented to his mother by President K. R. Narayanan. Its citation reads: "For our tomorrow..... he gave his today......".

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lieutenant Keishing Clifford Nangrum
Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous)

C' Company, 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was tasked to capture Point 4812 in square 1990, a strongly held enemy position of extreme tactical importance in Batalik Sector. SS-37111P Capt Keishing Clifford Nangrum was tasked to assault the feature from the South Eastern direction; an almost impossible climb. The column encountered strong enemy opposition near the top. The enemy was well entrenched in interconnected bunkers chiselled out of rocks; immune to even artillery fire. The defences were formidable. The enemy brought down heavy automatic and artillery fire on this column. The firefight continued for approximately two hours. Capt Clifford led his section, closed in and threw grenades in the enemy's front line bunkers and boldly charged, killing six enemy soldiers. He tried to snatch the Universal Machine Gun firing at own troops from the enemy but received a volley of bullets. This audacious action of Capt Clifford completely stunned the enemy. Heavily outnumbered and badly wounded Capt Clifford refused to be evacuated and continued firing till he succumbed to his injuries. This act of Capt Clifford gave valuable reaction time to out columns to capture Point 4812.Capt Clifford had displayed unparalleled bravery, dogged determination and raw courage. He made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions on the Indian Army.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Padmapani Acharya
Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously

On 28 June 1999, in the battalion attack on the Tololing feature by the 2nd Rajputana Rifles, Major Padmapani Acharya as a Company Commander, was assigned the formidable task of capturing an enemy position which was heavily fortified and strongly held with mine fields and sweeping machine gun and artillery fire. Success of the battalion and brigade operation hinged on the early capture of this position. However the company attack almost faltered at the very beginning, when the enemy's artillery fire came down squarely on the leading platoon, inflicting large numbers of casualties. With utter disregard to his personal safety, Major Padmapani Acharya took the reserve platoon and led it through raining artillery shells.
Even as his men were falling to enemy fire, he continued to encourage his men and charged at the enemy with the reserve platoon up the steep rock face. Unmindful of the hail of bullets from the enemy's bunker, Major Padmapani Acharya crawled up to the bunker and lobbed grenades. Severely injured and unable to move, he ordered his men to leave him and charge at the enemy while he continued to fire. The bunker was finally over-run and the objective was captured.

After completion of the mission, Major Acharya succumbed to his injuries. A few days before the capture of Tololing Top, Major Acharya wrote a letter to his father in which he added a quote from the Bhagvad Gita which stated, "Die, and you will win heaven; conquer, and you enjoy sovereignty of the earth; therefore, stand up, Arjuna, determined to fight." For conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice, Major Padmapani Acharya was honoured with the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Capt.Vijayant Thapar (Robin)
Vir Chakra
Dec 26,1976– June 29, 1999

Captain Vijyant Thapar (Dec 26,1976– June 29, 1999) was an officer of the Indian Army of the regiment 2 Rajputana Rifles, posthumously awarded the India's third highest military honour, Vir Chakra for his audacious bravery during the Kargil War. He fell leading an attack of 2 Rajputana Rifles at Tololing (Black Rocks -KNOLL) during the Kargil War on 29 June 1999. He was 22 years old. He was a fourth generation officer in his family.

Vijyant moved to Dras with his unit under Col. M.B. Ravindernath, commanding officer, and his company commander Major P. Acharya. The battalion was then given the task of capturing Tololing. Earlier attempts to capture Tololing by other units had failed with heavy losses. After the initial assault by Major Mohit Saxena was held up, on the night of 12 June 1999, Capt Vijayant Thapar led his platoon to capture a Pakistani post called Barbad Bunker. A photo in the newspapers shows him sitting with soldiers and captured arms that the fleeing enemy left behind. His letter after the battle describes the scene with dead Pakistani soldiers lying all around and his disappointment at not being able to catch two enemy soldiers alive.


After the historic victory at Tololing (termed as the turning point of the War), Vijyant was tasked to capture Three Pimples, Knoll in Black Rocks Complex, an ugly mountain sandwiched between Tololing and Tiger Hill. It was a full moon night and the enemy had good visibility. Moreover, this was an impregnable position to capture. The troops of 6 Northern Light Infantry (Pakistan) had all the advantages. Well entrenched in strongly prepared positions, well stocked and with only one narrow 'knife edge' ridge to cover, with precipitous slopes on both sides, and ravines thousands of feet deep, devoid of cover and almost vertical climbs at an altitude of 15000 ft and temperatures of -15*, it was indeed an impossible mission.


However, men of the unit were fired by the success at Tololing and were raging to go. The attack started with a fierce artillery barrage of a hundred guns, with Vijyant's platoon leading. The enemy responded with an equally intense and accurate bombardment on the attacking troops. In this artillery attack, Robin lost some of his men and some more were injured causing the attack to be disrupted. However with his indomitable spirit and tremendous urge to capture Knoll, he got together the remnants of his men and moved through a ravine and rejoined his company. In the melee earlier, Vijyant's platoon had gotten separated from his company. While the exchange of fierce fire was going on, Vijayant reached his company, which had already secured a small foothold on Knoll.


By this time, his company commander Major P. Acharya had been killed. At this news, Vijayant's anger was explosive. He surged ahead along the narrow ridge with his colleague Naik Tilak Singh Image Reference. Both of them started engaging the enemy merely 15 m away. There were two enemy machine guns firing towards them. After about an hour and a half of fierce exchange of bullets and abuses, Vijyant decided that he had to finish the enemy. In a brief lull in firing he rushed ahead to do so but a burst of fire struck him on his head. He fell in the arms of his comrade Naik Tilak Singh. It was after that the men of his company charged and fully captured Knoll. That night had cost the Indian Army 3 officers killed, 3 severely injured, 10 Ors killed, and 42 wounded. All objectives were captured.


For this act of outstanding bravery and his ultimate sacrifice, Capt. Vijyant Thapar was awarded the Vir Chakra a gallantry award by the President of India, K. R. Naraynan, which was received by his 82 year old grandmother.


Shortly before he went into the attack, he wrote a last letter to his parents. This letter epitomises the soldierly virtues of the Indian Army and shows the values of an inspired Indian. This has motivated a whole generation of Indian soldiers and youth alike. He was just 22 years old. Noida, his hometown, gave him a memorable farewell with about hundred thousand people attending his last rites. The Army dedicated to him the helipad at Dras, which is known as Vijyant Helipad

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

[h=2]Kargil heroes("roll of honour")[/h]

Rank & Name Establishment Home State
- - - -
1. Lt. Col. R. Vishwanathan 18 Grenadiers Kerala
2. Major Rohit Gaur - -
3. Major Ajay Prasad - -
4. Major Vivek Gupta 2 Rajputana Rifles Uttar Pradesh
5. Major C.B. Dwivedi Regiment of Artillery Bihar
6. Major R.S. Adhikari 18 Grenadiers Uttar Pradesh
7. Major A.S. Jasrotia JAK Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
8. Major Manoj Talwar Mahar Regiment Uttar Pradesh
9. Major Kamlesh Prasad Artillery Regiment Rajasthan
10. Major Padmapani Acharya 2 Rajputana Rifles Andra Pradesh
11. Major Mariappan Sarvanan 1 Bihar Tamil Nadu
12. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja No.17 Squadron Punjab
13. Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir 152 Helo Unit -
14. Captain Amol Kalia 12 JAK LI Punjab
15. Captain Jintu Gogoi 17 Garhwal Rifles Assam
16. Captain P.V. Vikram 14 Field Regiment Kerala
17. Captain Amit Verma 9 Mahar Maharashtra
18. Captain Sumeet Roy 18 Garwhal Rifles Delhi
19. Captain Anuj Nayyar 17 Jat Delhi
20. Captain Vikram Batra 13 JAK Rifles Himachal Pradesh
21. Captain Haneef Uddin Army Service Corps Delhi
22. Captain Jerry Premraj 158 Medium Regt. Kerala
23. Captain Aditya Mishra Signals Corps Uttar Pradesh
24. Captain Deepak Guleria - Haryana
25. Captain K.C.D. Shivakar 8 Madras Karnataka
26. Captain Amit Bharadwaj 4 Jat Rajasthan
27. Captain Kanad Bhattacharya - West Bengal
28. Flight Lieutenant S. Mulihan 152 Helo Unit Karnataka
29. Lieutenant M.K. Pandey 1/11 Gorkha Rifles Uttar Pradesh
30. Lieutenant N. Kenguruse 2 Rajputana Rifles Nagaland
31. Lieutenant K.C. Nongrum 12 JAK LI Meghalaya
32.Lieutenant Saurabh Kalia 4 Jat Himachal Pradesh

33. Lieutenant Amit Bhargava - -
34. Lieutenant Vijayant Thapar 2 Rajputana Rifles Delhi
35. Subedar K. Ghadge - Maharashtra
36. Subedar Bhawar Lal - Rajasthan
37. Subedar Nirmal Singh 8 Sikh -
38. Subedar S.S. Rathore 2 Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
39. Subedar Randhir Singh 18 Grenadiers -
40. Subedar Joginder Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
41. Subedar Angohok Dorje - Jammu & Kashmir
42. Subedar Bhanwar Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
43. Subedar Harphool Singh - Rajasthan
45. Subedar Bahadhur Singh - Jammu & Kashmir
44. Subedar S.S. Shekhawat - Rajasthan
46. Subedar Lobzang Chhotak - Jammu & Kashmir
47. Subedar Kuttapa Medappa 9 Maratha LI -
48. Naib Subedar Lal Singh - Haryana
49. Naib Subedar Lal Chand - -
50. Naib Subedar N. Mahato 108 Medium Regt. Bihar
51. Naib Subedar Ravail Singh 8 Sikh -
52. Naib Subedar Khem Chand - Himachal Pradesh
53. Naib Subedar Karnail Singh 8 Sikh -
54. Naib Subedar Mangej Singh Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
55. Naib Subedar Kamlesh Kumar 24 Rajput -
56. Sergeant R.K. Sahu 152 Helo Unit Orrisa
57. Sergeant P.V.N.R. Prasad 152 Helo Unit Andhra Pradesh
58. Coy. Hav. Maj. Y.S. Tomar 2 Rajputana Rifles Uttar Pradesh
59. CQMH Annuruddin 22 Grenadiers -
60. Havildar S.R. Gill - Rajasthan
61. Havildar Hari Om 17 Jat Haryana
62. Havildar M.B. Rai 6/11 Gorkha Rifles West Bengal
63. Havildar Sidhkam - Haryana
64. Havildar Mallayya - Karnataka
65. Havildar G.R. Das - Orissa
66. Havildar Lal Singh - Haryana
67. Havildar Rajkumar JAK Rifles -
68. Havildar Khem Raj - Himachal Pradesh
69. Havildar Dola Ram - Himachal Pradesh
70. Havildar Mani Ram - Rajasthan
71. Havildar J.P. Singh 16 Grenadiers Punjab
72. Havildar D.S. Bahu 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
73. Havildar Raj Kumar - Himachal Pradesh
74. Havildar R.K. Singh - Rajasthan
75. Havildar Madan Lal - Jammu & Kashmir
76. Havildar V.P. Singh Jat Regiment Rajasthan
77. Havildar B.B. Tiwari 1 Bihar Madhya Pradesh
78. Havildar Bijay Singh - Haryana
79. Havildar Jagan Nath JAK Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
80. Havildar Shiv Kumar - Haryana
81. Havildar Ajaib Singh 8 Sikh -
82. Havildar T.B. Chhetri - -
83. Havildar Swami Das - Himachal Pradesh
84. Havildar Desa Singh 8 Sikh -
85. Havildar Rajvir Singh - Haryana
86. Havildar Ishe Tundup - Jammu & Kashmir
87. Havildar Kulbir Singh 8 Sikh -
88. Havildar P.S. Dhama - Uttar Pradesh
89. Havildar Abdul Karim 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
90. Havildar Kartar Singh JAK Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
91. Havildar Sultan Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Madhya Pradesh
92. Havildar Kumar Singh 17 Jat -
93. Havildar Karam Singh - Punjab
94. Havildar Vikram Singh 8 Sikh -
95. Havildar Kharak Singh - Uttar Pradesh
96. Havildar Khazan Singh - -
97. Havildar Harpunj Singh 17 Jat Rajasthan
98. Havildar S.G. Chauhan - Maharashtra
99. Havildar R.K.S. Jasriya - Rajasthan
100. Havildar Mahavir Singh - Haryana
101. Havildar Abdul Kareem - Jammu & Kashmir
102. Havildar Kashmir Singh JAK Rifles Uttar Pradesh
103. Havildar Rajinder Singh JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
104. Havildar Surinder Singh 8 Sikh -
105. Havildar Krishan Chand - Himachal Pradesh
106. Havildar Chhering Tashi - Jammu & Kashmir
107. Havildar Rigzin Wangial - Jammu & Kashmir
108. Havildar Bhagwan Singh 17 Jat Rajasthan
109. Havildar Tsewang Rigzin - Jammu & Kashmir
110. Havildar Ginkhohao Vaiphei Assam Regt. -
111. Havildar Ratan Kumar Singh - Bihar
112. Lance Havildar Lekh Ram - Haryana
113. Lance Havildar M.P. Magar - Mizoram
114. Lance Havildar S.S. Hooda 18 Grenadiers -
115. Lance Havildar Ram Kumar 18 Grenadiers Haryana
116. Lance Havildar Baldev Singh - Punjab
117. Lance Havildar K.K.B. Sukaji - Gujarat
118. Lance Havildar Satyabir Singh - Rajasthan
119. Lance Havildar M.S. Suratpura 4 Jat Rajasthan
120. Lance Havildar Yougal Kishore - Jammu & Kashmir
121. Lance Havildar Lachhanan Singh - Haryana
122. Naik Dev Raj - Jammu & Kashmir
123. Naik Ram Pal 9 Mahar Haryana
124. Naik Lila Ram - Haryana
125. Naik S.S. Patro 12 Mahar Orissa
126. Naik R.M.R. Lal - Gujarat
127. Naik Harbhadur 2 Naga -
128. Naik K. Rampal - Punjab
129. Naik D.M. Khan - Jammu & Kashmir
130. Naik R.K. Punia - -
131. Naik R.S. Singh - Rajasthan
132. Naik Brij Mohan 9 Para Cdo. Uttar Pradesh
133. Naik Ram Sarup - -
134. Naik G.P. Yadav Bihar Regt. Bihar
135. Naik R. Kamaraj - Tamil Nadu
136. Naik Y.D. Kolkar - Karnataka
137. Naik Krishan Lal - Haryana
138. Naik Bhim Singh - Haryana
139. Naik Anan Singh - -
140. Naik Niraj Kumar - Bihar
141. Naik Urjeet Singh - Jammu & Kashmir
142. Naik Ranjit Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
143. Naik Shyam Veer 17 Jat Punjab
144. Naik Rajbir Singh Grenadiers Regt. Punjab
145. Naik Prabhu Ram - Rajasthan
146. Naik M.B. Gurung JAK Rifles Uttar Pradesh
147. Naik M.K. Rathod 12 Mahar Gujarat
148. Naik Braham Das - Himachal Pradesh
149. Naik K.P. Pandey - Madhya Pradesh
150. Naik Kuldip Singh 19 Rajputana Rifles Punjab
151. Naik Nirmal Singh 8 Sikh -
152. Naik Anand Singh - Rajasthan
153. Naik Subab Singh - Uttar Pradesh
154. Naik Baldev Singh 8 Sikh -
155. Naik Vikram Singh - Himachal Pradesh
156. Naik Surjeet Singh 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
157. Naik Megh Gurung - Uttar Pradesh
158. Naik Jugal Kishore 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
159. Naik Mangal Singh - Himachal Pradesh
160. Naik Dalip Popuraj 6 Guards -
161. Naik R.R.B.R. Bhai - Gujarat
162. Naik Lakhbir Singh - Himachal Pradesh
163. Naik Rakesh Singh - Punjab
164. Naik Sarvan Kumar - Himachal Pradesh
165. Naik Rishipal Singh 17 Jat -
166. Naik Dharam Singh - Uttar Pradesh
167. Naik Bahadur Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
168. Naik Chaman Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Uttar Pradesh
169. Naik Shiva Basayya 28 Rajputana Rifles Karnataka
170. Naik Chandan Saha - West Bengal
171. Naik Birander Singh - Haryana
172. Naik Birendra Singh - -
173. Naik Surender Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles -
174. Naik Mukesh Rathod - Gujarat
175. Naik Ganesh Prasad - -
176. Naik Mahender Singh - Rajasthan
177. Naik Samunder Singh - Haryana
178. Naik Shatrughan Singh - -
179. Naik Phunchok Angdus - Jammu & Kashmir
180. Naik Chhering Wangdus - Jammu & Kashmir
181. Naik Sachindananda Mallick Mahar Regt. Orissa
182. Lance Naik Ahmed - Haryana
183. Lance Naik Vir Singh - Himachal Pradesh
184. Lance Naik Sivakaran - -
185. Lance Naik P. Gopiah - Andhra Pradesh
186. Lance Naik G.A. Khan 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
187. Lance Naik Ahmed Ali 22 Grenadiers Uttar Pradesh
188. Lance Naik Harish Pal JAK Rifles Punjab
189. Lance Naik Raj Kumar - Haryana
190. Lance Naik Layakit Ali - Jammu & Kashmir
191. Lance Naik Hira Singh - -
192. Lance Naik B.N. Singh - Bihar
193. Lance Naik D. Ranwas 4 Jat Rajasthan
194. Lance Naik Buta Singh 14 Sikh Punjab
195. Lance Naik Balaji Male - Maharashtra
196. Lance Naik Balaji Male - Maharashtra
197. Lance Naik R.K. Yadav 18 Grenadiers Madhya Pradesh
198. Lance Naik D.K. Yadav 18 Grenadiers Rajasthan
199. Lance Naik Veer Singh JAK Rifles Himachal Pradesh
200. Lance Naik Vijay Singh - Haryana
- -
201. Lance Naik Azad Singh - Haryana
202. Lance Naik M.S. Reddy - -
203. Lance Naik T.S.J. Singh - -
204. Lance Naik Rajbir Singh 17 Jat -
205. Lance Naik Rajbir Singh 18 Grenadiers Haryana
206. Lance Naik Jasvir Singh - Haryana
207. Lance Naik Jasbir Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles -
208. Lance Naik Daya Chand - Rajasthan
209. Lance Naik Ranvir Singh JAK Rifles -
210. Lance Naik Harish Singh - Himachal Pradesh
211. Lance Naik Satpal Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles -
212. Lance Naik Ranbir Singh 13 JAK Rifles Punjab
213. Lance Naik Vinod Kumar - Rajasthan
214. Lance Naik Shyam Singh Grenadiers Regt. Haryana
215. Lance Naik Rajesh Singh 17 Jat Haryana
216. Lance Naik E.C. Khairnar Corps of Signals Maharashtra
217. Lance Naik Ashok Kumar - Himachal Pradesh
218. Lance Naik Zakir Hussain - Haryana
219. Lance Naik Padam Singh - Himachal Pradesh
220. Lance Naik Hariom Singh - Uttar Pradesh
221. Lance Naik Balwan Singh - Haryana
222. Lance Naik M.B. Baburao - Maharashtra
223. Lance Naik S.R.R. Shinde - Maharashtra
224. Lance Naik Kulbeer Singh 8 Sikh Jammu & Kashmir
225. Lance Naik Gurmail Singh - Punjab
226. Lance Naik Khadag Singh - Maharashtra
227. Lance Naik Jaswant Singh - Uttar Pradesh
228. Lance Naik Bijandra Singh - Uttar Pradesh
229. Lance Naik Satya Prakash 18 Mahar Uttar Pradesh
230. Lance Naik Kaleswar Kom Naga Regt. -
231. Lance Naik Bijender Singh - -
232. Lance Naik Surinder Singh 18 Grenadiers -
233. Lance Naik Rakesh Chand 18 Grenadiers Uttar Pradesh
234. Lance Naik Krishna Mohan 13 JAK Rifles Punjab
235. Lance Naik Mukesh Kumar - Punjab
236. Lance Naik Bachhan Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles -
237. Lance Naik Devinder Singh 8 Sikh Jammu & Kashmir
238. Lance Naik Parvesh Kumar - -
239. Lance Naik Santosh Kumar - Kerala
240. Lance Naik Shankar Shinde 18 Garhwal Rifles -
241. Lance Naik Chhering Rigzin - Jammu & Kashmir
242. Lance Naik Lobzang Tagdon - Jammu & Kashmir
243. Lance Naik Zirmithang Aimol 2 Naga Manipur
244. Lance Naik Vidyanand Singh 1 Bihar Bihar
245. Lance Naik Gurucharan Singh - Punjab
246. Lance Naik V.M. Radhakumar - Kerala
247. Lance Naik M.Y. Ramachander 8 Madras Andra Pradesh
248. Sepoy H.R. Jat - Rajasthan
249. Sepoy S. Singh 17 Jat -
250. Sepoy K. Ashuli - Manipur
251. Sepoy Vijay Pal - Rajasthan
252. Sepoy Prem Lal 9 Mahar Uttar Pradesh
253. Sepoy S.M. Wali 899 ATT Coy Andhra Pradesh
254. Sepoy B.D. Bhai - Gujarat
255. Sepoy Bhikaram 4 Jat Rajasthan
256. Sepoy H.K. Ram - Bihar
257. Sepoy Khem Raj - Himachal Pradesh
258. Sepoy Arjun Ram 4 Jat Rajasthan
259. Sepoy Jiun Singh - Punjab
260. Sepoy Hira Singh - Himachal Pradesh
261. Sepoy A.P. Bangi Mahar Regt. Uttar Pradesh
262. Sepoy Shish Ram - Rajasthan
263. Sepoy Haji Basha 11 Engineer Regt. -
264. Sepoy Anil Kumar - -
265. Sepoy Buta Singh - Punjab
266. Sepoy M.R. Desai 282 ASC Coy. Maharashtra
267. Sepoy Banwar Lal 4 Jat Rajasthan
268. Sepoy Moola Ram 4 Jat Rajasthan
269. Sepoy A.S. Jadeja - Maharashtra
270. Sepoy C.N. Mayon Naga Regt. Manipur
271. Sepoy R.G. Mayon 9 Naga -
272. Sepoy K.R. Jhakar - Rajasthan
273. Sepoy D.B.M. Bhai 12 Mahar Gujarat
274. Sepoy Tashi Paljor - Jammu & Kashmir
275. Sepoy Hawa Singh 17 Jat Rajasthan
276. Sepoy Vijay Kumar - -
277. Sepoy Jiwan Singh 8 Sikh -
278. Sepoy Soran Singh 4 Jat -
279. Sepoy Dharamveer - -
280. Sepoy Gulab Singh - Haryana
281. Sepoy Karan Singh - Rajasthan
282. Sepoy Jansir Singh - Jammu & Kashmir
283. Sepoy Majon Singh - Punjab
284. Sepoy Janbir Singh 8 Sikh -
285. Sepoy A.K. Pandey 1 Bihar Bihar
286. Sepoy N.S.J. Kavaji - Gujarat
287. Sepoy G.H.G.J. Giri - Gujarat
288. Sepoy Selva Kumar - Tamil Nadu
289. Sepoy B.L. Bagaria - Rajasthan
290. Sepoy Vinod Kumar - Rajasthan
291. Sepoy Sheesh Ram - -
292. Sepoy S.S.P. Gupta - Bihar
293. Sepoy Nasir Ahmed - -
294. Sepoy Tsering Dorje - Jammu & Kashmir
295. Sepoy R.K. Pradhan - Orissa
296. Sepoy N.L.B. Mayon 2 Naga Manipur
297. Sepoy Surjeet Singh 8 Sikh LI Punjab
298. Sepoy Tashi Tsering - Jammu & Kashmir
299. Sepoy Naresh Singh 4 Jat Uttar Pradesh
300. Sepoy Suresh Chetri - West Bengal
301. Sepoy D.M. Vaghela 12 Mahar Gujarat
302. Sepoy B.B.B.A. Bhai - Gujarat
303. Sepoy S. Gamithang - -
304. Sepoy Hardeo Singh 1 Bihar Bihar
305. Sepoy S. Gemithang - Manipur
306. Sepoy Lotus Zangpo - Jammu & Kashmir
307. Sepoy H.J. Goswami 12 Mahar Gujarat
308. Sepoy Satnam Singh - Punjab
309. Sepoy Syodana Ram 17 Jat Rajasthan
310. Sepoy Dinesh Kumar - Himachal Pradesh
311. Sepoy Suresh Kumar - Haryana
312. Sepoy Naresh Kumar 17 Jat Rajasthan
313. Sepoy Gurmail Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
314. Sepoy Tundup Dorjay - Jammu & Kashmir
315. Sepoy Sonam Dorjay - Jammu & Kashmir
316. Sepoy Sonam Gonbo - Jammu & Kashmir
317. Sepoy Raman Kumar - Bihar
318. Sepoy Rajesh Kumar - Punjab
319. Sepoy Raman Kumar 9 Mahar Jammu & Kashmir
320. Sepoy Pavitar Kumar - Haryana
321. Sepoy Manjeet Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
322. Sepoy Geetam Singh 5 Rashtriya Rifles Uttar Pradesh
323. Sepoy Satwant Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
324. Sepoy Jitendra Singh - -
325. Sepoy Satyavir Singh - Rajasthan
326. Sepoy Jaswant Singh - Punjab
327. Sepoy Sanjay Gurung - -
328. Sepoy Rambhu Singh - Bihar
329. Sepoy Rajinder Singh - -
330. Sepoy Rajindra Singh - -
331. Sepoy Krishan Kumar - Rajasthan
332. Sepoy Ranveer Singh - Rajasthan
333. Sepoy Darshan Singh 8 Sikh -
334. Sepoy Ravinder Singh - Haryana
335. Sepoy Gurdeep Singh 17 Jat Jammu & Kashmir
336. Sepoy Dharmvir Singh - Haryana
337. Sepoy Pramod Kumar - Bihar
338. Sepoy Gurdeep Singh 8 Sikh -
339. Sepoy D.D. Wadgaon 8 Madras Maharashtra
340. Sepoy Sanjeev Kumar 8 Sikh Haryana
341. Sepoy Sonam Angdus - Jammu & Kashmir
342. Sepoy Surender Singh - Haryana
343. Sepoy Virender Kumar - Haryana
344. Sepoy Narender Singh - Haryana
345. Sepoy Varinder Kumar - -
346. Sepoy Nawang Tundup - Jammu & Kashmir
347. Sepoy Kulwinder Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
348. Sepoy D.M.R. Chandra - Maharashtra
349. Sepoy Tarlochan Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
350. Sepoy Nikam Mahadev - Maharashtra
351. Sepoy Jaswinder Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
352. Sepoy G. Harenderagiri Mahar Regt. Gujarat
353. Sepoy N.J. Bangwingvir - -
354. Sepoy Tsering Angchok - Jammu & Kashmir
355. Sepoy Lakhwinder Singh 8 Sikh -
356. Sepoy Sukhwinder Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
357. Sepoy Rashwinder Singh 8 Sikh Punjab
358. Sepoy Zamkholal Vaiphei 7 Assam Mizoram
359. Sepoy Dharmender Singh - Himachal Pradesh
360. Sepoy Gangching Konyak Naga Regt. Nagaland
361. Sepoy Mahipatsinh Jadeja - -
362. Sepoy/Driver G. Moharana - Orissa
363. Sepoy Kewalanand Dwivedi 16 Kumaon Uttar Pradesh
364. Sepoy Sukhchaindeep Singh - Punjab
365. Paratrooper Gopal Singh ? Para Punjab
366. Paratrooper Bhanwar Singh ? Para Rajasthan
367. Paratrooper Harvinder Singh 6 Para Punjab
368. Commando S.S. Shekhawat ? Para Cdo. Rajasthan
369. Commando M.S. Shekhawat 10 Para Cdo. Rajasthan
370. Grenadier Rizwan 22 Grenadiers -
371. Grenadier M.I. Khan 22 Grenadiers -
372. Grenadier Riasat Ali 22 Grenadiers -
373. Grenadier H.A. Khan Grenadiers Regt. -
374. Grenadier Lekh Ram 22 Grenadiers -
375. Grenadier Abid Khan 22 Grenadiers -
376. Grenadier Raj Kumar Grenadiers Regt. Rajasthan
377. Grenadier Y.S. Yadav 18 Grenadiers Uttar Pradesh
378. Grenadier R.K. Poonia 18 Grenadiers Rajasthan
379. Grenadier Manohar Lal 18 Grenadiers Haryana
380. Grenadier Anant Kumar Grenadiers Regt. Himachal Pradesh
381. Grenadier Sanjay Singh Grenadiers Regt. Haryana
382. Grenadier Ved Prakash Grenadiers Regt. Rajasthan
383. Grenadier Pravin Kumar 18 Grenadiers Uttar Pradesh
384. Grenadier Surjeet Singh Grenadiers Regt. Himachal Pradesh
385. Grenadier S.S. Chauhan Grenadiers Regt. Rajasthan
386. Grenadier Zakir Hussain 22 Grenadiers -
387. Grenadier Mohan Kathat Grenadiers Regt. Rajasthan
388. Grenadier Sukhbir Singh Grenadiers Regt. Haryana
389. Grenadier Zubair Ahmed 22 Grenadiers -
390. Grenadier Munish Kumar Grenadiers Regt. Uttar Pradesh
391. Grenadier S.R. Kumawat Grenadiers Regt. Rajasthan
392. Grenadier Naresh Kumar 18 Grenadiers Himachal Pradesh
393. Grenadier Bajinder Singh 16 Grenadiers Himachal Pradesh
394. Grenadier Yoginder Singh Grenadiers Regt. Himachal Pradesh
395. Grenadier Surender Singh Grenadiers Regt. Haryana
396. Grenadier Yashwant Singh Grenadiers Regt. Himachal Pradesh
397. Grenadier Amardeep Singh 16 Grenadiers Punjab
398. Grenadier Udhyaman Singh Grenadiers Regt. Jammu & Kashmir
399. Grenadier Hassan Mohammad 22 Grenadiers -
400. Rifleman A.K. Rai 1/11 Gorkha Rifles West Bengal
401. Rifleman Vijay Lal - Himachal Pradesh
402. Rifleman N. Palani - Tamil Nadu
403. Rifleman Sunil Jang Mahar Regt. Uttar Pradesh
404. Rifleman K.P. Singh - Rajasthan
405. Rifleman S.J. Mahat - Himachal Pradesh
406. Rifleman Tarsem Lal - Jammu & Kashmir
407. Rifleman Jagjit Singh 28 Rajputana Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
408. Rifleman Johar Singh JAK Rifles Uttar Pradesh
409. Rifleman Jasvir Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Haryana
410. Rifleman Balbir Singh - Uttar Pradesh
411. Rifleman Satbir Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
412. Rifleman Abdul Nazar - Kerala
413. Rifleman Anil Manhas - Jammu & Kashmir
414. Rifleman Ananat Ram 18 Grenadiers Himachal Pradesh
415. Rifleman S.H. Kalgam - -
416. Rifleman Dilwar Singh - Uttar Pradesh
417. Rifleman Jagbir Singh 2 Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
418. Rifleman Deep Chand - Himachal Pradesh
419. Rifleman Shyam Singh - Himachal Pradesh
420. Rifleman Pawan Singh - Punjab
421. Rifleman Ashok Kumar JAK Rifles Himachal Pradesh
422. Rifleman Nandhar Lala - Himachal Pradesh
423. Rifleman Vikram Singh - Rajasthan
424. Rifleman Pradip Kumar 28 Rajputana Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
425. Rifleman Ashish Kumar - Haryana
426. Rifleman S.S. Ashruba - Maharashtra
427. Rifleman Pawan Kumar 13 JAK Rifles Himachal Pradesh
428. Rifleman Rakesh Kumar JAK Rifles Himachal Pradesh
429. Rifleman Rattan Chand 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
430. Rifleman Birendra Singh - Rajasthan
431. Rifleman Ramesh Thapa 32 Rashtriya Rifles Uttar Pradesh
432. Rifleman Parvesh Kumar - Haryana
433. Rifleman Praveen Kumar - Himachal Pradesh
434. Rifleman Jaskaran Singh JAK Rifles Punjab
435. Rifleman Kulbinder Singh - Himachal Pradesh
436. Rifleman J.S. Shekhawat 2 Rajputana Rifles Rajasthan
437. Rifleman Linchon Pradhan 11 Gorkha Rifles West Bengal
438. Rifleman Manzoor Hussain 28 Rajputana Rifles Jammu & Kashmir
439. Rifleman Mohammad Aslam 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
440. Rifleman Mohammad Fareed 12 JAK LI Jammu & Kashmir
441. Gunner B.L. Nain - Rajasthan
442. Gunner Riyasai Ali - Haryana
443. Gunner J.R. Kumar 141 Field Regt. -
444. Gunner N.C. Singha - Assam
445. Gunner Uddhab Das 197 Field Regt. Assam
446. Sapper M. Jayavelu - Tamil Nadu
447. Signalman M.R. Sahoo Signals Corps Orissa
448. Signalman Vinod Kumar Signals Corps Haryana
449. Kamlesh Kumar (Civilian) Porter -

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[FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]R[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]est In Peace[FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif] [/FONT]To Those Who Perished In This War.. [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]

[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Ja[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]i Hind ![/FONT]​

 

[Kunal Biswas]

2nd lt. arun khetarpal
On 16 December 1971, the Squadron Commander of 'B' Squadron, the Poona Horse asked for reinforcement as the Pakistani Armour which was superior in strength, counter attacked at Jarpal, in the Shakargarh Sector. On hearing this transmission, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was in 'A' Squadron, voluntarily moved along with his troop, to assist the other squadron. En route, while crossing the Basantar River, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his troop came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still holding out. Time was at a premium and as critical situation was developing in the 'B' Squadron sector, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, threw caution to the winds and started attacking the impending enemy strong points by literally charging them, overrunning the defence works with his tanks and capturing the enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. In commander of his troop was killed. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was overcome and he broke through towards the 'B' Squadron position, just in time to see the enemy tanks pulling back after their initial probing attack on this squadron. He was so carried away by the wild enthusiasm of battle and the impetus of his own headlong dash that he started chasing the withdrawing tanks and even managed to shoot and destroy one.

PA M-47 knock out in Shakargarh Sector

Soon thereafter, the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack and this time they selected the sector held by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and two other tanks as the points for their main effort. A fierce tank fight ensured ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was asked to abandon his tank but he realised that the enemy though badly decimated was continuing to advance in his sector of responsibility and if he abandoned his tank the enemy would break through, he gallantry fought on and destroyed another enemy tank, At this stage his tank received a second hit which resulted in the death of this gallant officer.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

MAJOR SHAITAN SINGH

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Udai Singh

Major Udai Singh launched a search and destroy operation on 29th November 2003. His team suddenly came face to face with a group of terrorists who were at a higher ground at a distance of about 10 meters. A fierce gun battle ensued and during this fire fight Major Udai Singh sustained a gunshot wound in the neck. His buddy meanwhile suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Displaying extraordinary courage, with utter disregard to personal safety, the officer continued to close in with the terrorists, killing one terrorist and wounding another. Major Udai Singh then helped extricating his fatally injured buddy before succumbing to his injuries.
As a 2nd Lt., he once wrote: "For when the Great Scorer comes to mark against my name for all that i did, I will be a proud man who served this country, a cause for which so many brave Indian men laid down their lives".He loved what he did never regretting for an instant his choice of career. His life in the army was a source of great pride and enthusiasm. It was all that he had ever wished it to be.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Som Nath Sharma (1923–1947)Major Som Nath Sharma (1923–1947) was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian gallantry award. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947. He died while evicting Pakistani infiltrators and raiders from Srinagar Airport during the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment

Major Som Nath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in Dadh, Kangara District of Himachal Pradesh. He came from a well-known military family, his father, Major-General Amar Nath Sharma, was also a military officer as were his brothers Lt. General Surindar Nath Sharma (retired as the Engineer-in-chief) and General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988-1990), and his sister Major Kamla Tewari (Medical Doctor).He did his schooling in Sherwood College, Nainital. He was commissioned into the 4th Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army (then British-Indian Army) on 22 February 1942. He also saw combat during the second World War in the Arakan Operations.

His company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. His right hand was in a plaster cast as a result of injuries sustained in the hockey field previously but he insisted on being with his company in combat and was given permission to go. On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company (D Company of 4 Kumaon) was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in the Kashmir Valley. He was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and his company sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing artillery bombardment. He realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost. Under heavy fire and outnumbered seven to one, he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post

When heavy casualties adversely affected the firing power of his company, Major Sharma, with his right hand in plaster, took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine guns. While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ received a few moments before he was killed was: "The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round."

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was an officer of the Indian Air Force and the posthumous recipient of the only Param Vir Chakra awarded to an Indian Air Force Personnel. Fg. Off Sekhon's award was in recognition of his lone and fatal defence of Srinagar Air Base during an air raid during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Fg Offr Sekhon, a Sikh, was born on July 17, 1943 at village Rurka in Ludhiana District, Punjab. He was the son of Warrant Officer Hon. Flight Lieutenant Trilok Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 4, 1967 as a Flying Officer.

On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of six PAF F-86 jets. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. Soon the enemy aircraft attacked the airfield, strafing ground targets. Under heavy fire from the attacking aircraft, Flying Officer Sekhon was able to achieve takeoff in his Folland Gnat and he engaged the attacking Sabres. In the ensuing air battle Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze.The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke.The four remaining Pakistani Sabres pressed the attack, and after a lengthy dog-fight at tree-top level Sekhon's aircraft was hit, and he was killed. The remaining Pakistani aircraft returned to Pakistan without pressing the attack on Srinagar airfield and its surrounding areas. The bravery, flying skill and determination displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon earned him the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra. His skill was later praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid

Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid was already a battle-scarred veteran with the 4 Grenadiers when his division was deployed in the Khem Karan sector in Punjab in early September, 1965. As the Indian Army website notes, in his 10 years of service, he had already earned "the Sainya Seva Medal with Clasp J&K, the Samar Seva Medal and the Raksha Medal".
Early September 1965: Pakistan has just launched an intense offensive in J&K (Operation Grand Slam) aimed at capturing Akhnoor in Jammu, with the intent of cutting off communications and supply routes to the Indian forces on the border in J&K. India has retaliated with air attacks and is at the verge of opening the front in Punjab.
On 6th September, Indian forces led by the formidable 15th Infantry commanded by WWII veteran Major General Prasad, launch an offensive near the west bank of Ichogil canal (a de facto border between India and Pakistan). The war has now effectively moved beyond the border in J&K. One of the most remarkable battles of this war is now about to unfold. The sector is Khem Karan – the fall of which might open the way to Amritsar. Khem Karan is therefore critical to the defense plan. Abdul Hamid and his colleagues are part of the 4 Indian Division that has been entrusted with responsibility to capture of Pakistani territory east of Ichhogil Canal and contain possible enemy attack on the Kasur-Khem Karan axis.
While the brave men of the 4th Division have succeeded in reaching Ichhogil, they have been stalled from moving further by intense shelling from enemy troops and a powerful Pakistani offensive. But the area they are holding on to is critical to sustain the divisional plan of defence. They cannot afford to loose the position. This is what happened next:

On September 8th night, the enemy made repeated probing attacks on Grenadiers positions but was frustrated in all the attempts. The most serious threat, however, developed when the enemy attacked with a regiment of Patton tanks at 0800 hours on September 10th. The attack was preceded by intense artillery shelling so much so that a shell littered every yard of ground occupied by the battalion.
By 0900 hours, the enemy tanks had penetrated the forward company positions. At this critical juncture, Hamid was commanding a recoilless gun detachment. Seeing the gravity of the situation, he moved out to a flank with his gun mounted on a jeep. Intense enemy shelling and tank fire did not deter him.
From his new position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank with accurate fire. Then he changed his position and knocked out another enemy tank. By this time the enemy who had spotted his position brought down concentrated machine gun and high explosive fire on him.
But he kept on firing. As he fired to hit yet another enemy tank, he was mortally wounded by a high explosive shell.
​

Unfortunately Abdul Hamid did not live to see the next day or share in the joy of victory that came after 3 days of intense fighting. But his sustained act of bravery and disregard for personal safety proved to be an inspiration not only to his unit but also to the whole division. Thanks largely to the men of 4th Division

The Pakistani 1st Armored – which was spearheading the attack, never made it past Khem Karan.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

[h=2]Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla[/h][h=2]Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla was an officer of the Indian Navy and the Captain of the INS Khukri, who went down with his ship during the 1971 war on the old tradition, "captains don't abandon their ships.". He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for displaying conspicuous gallantry and dedication to duty. He was born on 15 May 1926 in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 May 1948.In 1971 Indo-Pakistani War Captain Mulla was a senior officer of frigates squadron of Indian Navy. He was given command of INS Khukri and was tasked to locate and destroy a Pakistani submarine in North Arabian Sea. During these operations on the night of 9 December 1971,INS "Khukri" was hit by torpedoes fired by a Pakistan submarine and sank.Captain Mulla decided to ask the crew to abandon the ship and without regard to his personal safety he supervised the arrangements for rescue of his shipmates in a very cool, calm and methodical manner.His action and behaviour and the example he set have been in keeping with highest tradition of Military of India.[/h]

Rest In Peace..