NAIK JADUNATH SINGH,PVC

NAIK JADUNATH SINGH,PVC

ARMY NO 27373

1^ST RAJPUT REGIMENT (NOW 4 GAURDS)

Naik Jadu Nath Singh, a RATHORE RAJPUT by birth, was born on 21 November 1916 in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was commissioned in the army in  1 Rajput  (which has now become now 4 Guards ) on 21 November 1941.From his initial childhood days he had the dream of serving the armed forces and doing something big so that his village name is on the world map and taken with respect.

During the Jammu & Kashmir operations in the winter of 1947, the capture of Jhangar on December 24, by the Pakistani army, placed them in an advantageous position in the Naushahra sector. Being in full command of the communication lines from Mirpur to Poonch, they could now build up their forces for attack on Naushahra. The Army was alive to this threat. In January 1948, they conducted operations to prevent the enemy build up in the area and in the process occupied Kot village to the Northwest of Naushahra. In any case an attack on Naushahra was imminent. Brig. Usman commander of the  50 Para Brigade had made adequate preparation to thwart this attack by establishing strong pickets on possible enemy approaches. One of these approaches lay to the north of Naushahra through Taindhar.

The expected enemy attack came on the foggy morning of February 6, at 0640 hrs. The enemy started the attack by opening fire from their pickets on the Taindhar ridge on an Indian patrol. Simultaneously, the whole of Taindhar and the surrounding hills became live with bursts of machine gun and crunches of mortar fire. Meanwhile under the cover of darkness the enemy crept up to the Indian pickets. In the first light of dawn the men on the post saw thousands of hostiles creeping up to them. On the crucial day of February 6, Naik Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward post of picket No.2 at Taindhar. He had just 9 men under his command at the picket which he was defending.

The enemies were attacking in successive waves to capture the post. In such adverse situation Naik Jadu Nath Singh displayed great courage and excellent leadership skills. He used his small strength of soldiers in such an effective manner  and bravely, which made the enemy forces to retreat in utter confusion. Even when four of his men were wounded he re-organised his men to combat another onslaught. In spite of being heavily outnumbered they didn’t back off. When he along with all his men got injured, he displayed absolute courage by personally taking over the Bren gun from the injured Bren gun men. The enemy troops almost reached the wall of the post. Naik JaduNath Singh motivated his troops to fight the enemy. His attack like a bunch on lions attacks their prey together, had such devastating effect that a certain defeat turned into victory and the post was saved for the second time. But in the second attack, all the soldiers under his command were dead.
The enemy forces were so determined to capture the post that they attacked for the third time. Naik JaduNath Singh was badly wounded and alone. When he saw the approaching enemy , though being wounded badly himself, he came out of the bunker and charged on them with sten gun. This move of sudden charge on the enemy ,surprised the enemy and they fled in disorder and thus the third attack was also repulsed by him.

In the last wave of attack, though he single handedly repulsed the attack (as all men of the post were dead),he was hit by two enemy bullets one on his chest and the other struck him on his head which proved fatal for his life. Naik JaduNath Singh displayed ultimate act of personal sacrifice for the sake of the nation by sacrificing his life in protecting his picket from being overrun by the enemy In a most critical stage in the battle for the defense of Naushahra.

. Naik JaduNath Singh performed the highest act of gallantry and self-sacrifice for which he was honored with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

Naik JaduNath Singh is still fondly remembered in his village in Shahjahanpur, as the gallant son of the village and the villagers celebrate his birth and death anniversary with pomp and gaiety as if they are celebrating a festival.

CITATION OF NAIK JADUNATH SINGH ,PVC

Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane,PVC

Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane,PVC

BOMBAY ENGINEER (ARMY NO -SS-14246)

2/Lt Rama Raghoba Rana, popularly known as Rama to his friends and classmates, was born on 26thJune 1918, in a small village of Chendia, in Dist Karwar Karnataka.He belonged to the famous Khastriya Maratha family in karwar district.2/Lt Ram Raghoba Rane  was commissioned in Corps of Engineers (Bombay Engineers) on 15^th Dec 1947 ( the year of Indian independence).

Jhangar in the Rajouri sector which had fallen in the hands of enemy in Dec 1947 was successfully captured and regained back in the year 1948 (on18th March).

When the Pakistan army launched multi dimensional attack to capture Kashmir and annexe it a its own territory, the then Maharaja of Kashmir had entered into  an agreement  with Indian Govt and asked for military aid and help to safeguard kashmir.The Indian troops then planned an advance from Naushahra to Rajauri to protect the natives from atrocities of the raiders. Half-way lay the Chingas, on the old Mughal route to Kashmir. 

The 4 Dogra commenced the advance to Rajauri on 8 April 1948. It attacked the Barwali ridge, 11 km north of Naushahra and captured it after driving out the enemy from well-prepared positions. But beyond Barwali, the increasing number of road-blocks and minefields obstructed the progress of the battalion. Even armour could not cross over these obstacles

During this critical phase, 2nd Lieutenant Rane and his section of 37 Assault Field Company, attached to 4 Dogra, performed yeoman service.

As the section started clearing a mine-field on 8 April, two sappers were killed and five others including Rane were injured by enemy mortar fire. However, 2/LtRane and his men completed the work by the evening and enabled the tanks to push forward. But the enemy had not been cleared from the area and road ahead was still unsafe for the advance.

2nd Lieutenant Rane worked during the night to prepare a safe lane for the tanks. On 9 April his men worked continuously for twelve hours to clear mines and remove road-blocks. Where the road was found un-negotiable he made a diversion for the column to pass through. 2nd Lieutenant Rane continued this work in the face of enemy artillery and mortar fire.

On 10 April inspite of himself being injured my mortar and artillery shelling, he woke up early to resume work on the road-block, which could not be cleared the previous night. He cleared this huge road-block of 5 big pine trees, surrounded by mines and covered by intensive machine-gun fire, within two hours.

The Army advanced another 13 km on this day before they encountered another major road-block. The enemy pickets perched on the adjoining hills were guarding all approaches to this road-block. 2nd Lieutenant Rane drove to the road block in a tank and crouching under it, blasted the block with mines. He thus opened the road before the end of the night.

On 11 April he worked for 17 hours to open the road to Chingas and beyond. 2nd Lieutenant Rane made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance on Rajauri. It cost the enemy about 500 dead and many more wounded. It also helped in saving many innocent lives in Chingas and Rajauri. But for the grim determination and tireless diligence of 2nd Lieutenant Rane, who worked ceaselessly, our column could not have reached Chingas - an important feature which secured for us a vantage position to advance further.

The efforts made by 2nd Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane during the advance to Rajauri earned him the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra

2/Lt Ram Raghoba Rane had a very distinguished career in the Indian army and  retired at the rank of Major from the Indian Army in 1968. During his 21 years' service with the Army, he earned five M-in-D (Mentioned-in-Despatches) apart from being awarded PARAM VIR CHAKRA

LANCE NAIK KARAM SINGH, PVC

LANCE NAIK KARAM SINGH,PVC

1 SIKH (ARMY NO- 22356)

Lance Naik Karam Singh was born on 15^th September 1915 in Barnala, Punjab. He joined army (That time the Indian Army was under the command of British officer) on 15^th September 1941 in 1^st battalion of Sikh regiment. His battalion was moved to the Burma border during world war II, to stop the advance of the Japanese troops  towards Indian territory .Lance Naik Karam Singh  though being very young , but should his valour and courage and had halted the advances of the Japanese army. After the end of the world war II, he was awarded  Military Medal on 14^th March 1944, instituted by the British government to be given to Indian soldier for their exemplary courage shown in the battle field.

In the summer of 1948 Indian Army made substantial gains during the J&K operations in Tithwal sector.  On 23 May 1948 Indian Army captured Tithwal. Enemies ran across to kishanganga in utter confusion dumping their weapons in the river. They soon recovered from this setback, re-organized and mounted a heavy counter-attack. The attack was so strong that the Indian forces had to withdraw from Kishanganga River. Indian troops regrouped at Tithwal to take on the enemy forces. Indian position was very strong at Tithwal. The enemy forces could not  breach the Indian defense after months for fighting.

In October 1948, Pakistan troops launched an attack with the objective of capturing Richhmar Gali to the south of Tithwal and occupying Nastachur Pass to the east of Tithwal. Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a forward outpost in the Richhmar Gali area. 

During the initial attacks, all the bunkers in the platoon area were destroyed by heavy enemy shelling. Communications with his commander was also cut off, hence Karam Singh was unable to update his situation or ask for reinforcements. Although wounded, he brought back two injured comrades to the frontline with the help of another man to the main company position and defended Richhmar Gali.

Twice wounded by the fifth enemy attack, Lance Naik Karam Singh refused evacuation and continued to hold on to the first-line trenches. When enemy soldiers secured a position close to the frontline, Karam Singh jumped out of his trench and bayoneted the two intruders to death. This bold action so demoralised the enemy that they broke off the attack.

They made eight attempts to capture Tithwal but were repulsed every single time by 1^st Sikh regiment. Karam Singh Joined the main companies main position when the ammunition ran short. He was aware of the fact that there won’t be any reinforcements coming for their rescue due to the heavy shelling from the enemy side

 For his outstanding role in the battle of Tithwal, Karam Singh became the second recipient of the highest gallantry award of Indian army Param Vir Chakra.

CITATION OF LANCE NAIK KARAM SINGH, PVC

MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA. PVC

Major Somnath Sharma,PVC

The text of the citation of award of Param Vir Chakra in the case of Maj Som Nath Sharma reads 

Maj Somnath Sharma

4 KUMAON (IC-521)

On 3rd. November 1947 Maj. Sharma's Coy was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in Srinagar (Kashmir) Valley. He reached his objective at first light on 3rd. November, 1947, and took up a position south of Badgam Village. At 1100 hours, enemy estimated strength 700 attacked his Coy position being brought to bear on the Coy position from three sides, the Coy began to sustain heavy casualties. Maj. Sharma fully realizing the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both Srinagar and the aerodrome if the enemy attacking him was not held until reinforcements could be rushed up to close up the gap leading to Srinagar via Hum Hom, urged his Coy to fight the enemy - tenaciously with extreme bravery. In order to do this, he rushed across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and active fire. He took a very active part in directing the fire of his sections on to the ever-advancing enemy. He exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy's fire and laid out air-strips in order to guide the aircraft on to the targets in full view of the enemy. Realising that casualties had affected the efficiency of his light automatics, this officer, whose left hand was in plaster, personally commenced filling LMG magazines and issuing them to LMG gunners. A mortar shall landing amongst his ammunition resulted in an explosion that killed him. Maj. Sharma's Coy held on to its position and the remnants withdrew when almost completely surrounded. His inspiring example had resulted in the enemy being delayed for six hours and reinforcements permitted to get into position in Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy's advance. His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence was such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy outnumbered by them seven to one for six hours, one hour of which was after this gallant officer had been killed. He has set an example of courage, with qualities unequalled in the history of the Indian Army. 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 the last man and the last round."

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 Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in Distt Kangra of  Himachal Pradesh India. He came from a well-known and illustrious military family, his father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, was also a an army officer (retired as Director General of the Armed Medical Services) as were his brothers, Lt. General Surindar Nath Sharma (retired as Engineer-in-chief) and General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988–1990), and his sister Major Kamla Tewari (Army Medical Corps).

Maj Somnath Sharma completed his schooling from Sherwood College, Nainital, before enrolling at the Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehra Dun( now known as Indian Military Academy)  and later joined the Royal Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, 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.

 Battle of Badgaum

Maj Som Nath Sharma's 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 Badgaum Village on the opurskirts of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley.he was ordered to defend the airport as well as halt the enemy till support was airlifted  to protect Srinagar from falling in the hands of tribals and Pakistan army. A tribal "lashkar" of 700 which included regular Pakistani soldiers ,raiders approached Badgaum from the direction of Gulmarg. Maj Somnath Sharma’s company was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing mortar bombardment. Maj Sharma 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 and motivating them to keep fighting to repel the enemy, 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 enemies 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."

By the time the relief company of 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the raiders made them lose their impetus to advance buying time for Indian troops to fly in to Srinagar airfield and block all routes of ingress to Srinagar. In this manner, Maj.Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar and arguably the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan and made the supreme sacrifice for the country. The country salutes him and honoured him with the highest gallantry award PARAM VIR CHAKRA pothumously.

Maj Somnath Sharma is still remembered in the Indian armed forces with respect because of his courage and devotion to the duty and his love for the motherland for which he made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland..

JAI HIND