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navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 09:09 AM
remembering the real heroes

Major Shaitan Singh

Major Shaitan Singh, son of Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singhji, was commissioned in the Kumaon Regiment on 01 August 1949. During the 1962 Indo-China conflict, 13 Kumaon was deployed in Chushul sector. The C Coy of the battalion led by Major Shaitan Singh held a crucial position at Rezang La, at a height of 5000 metres. The company area was defended by five platoon positions and the surrounding terrain isolated it from the rest of the battalion. The expected Chinese attack on Rezang La came on November 18th in the morning. It was the end of a very cold winter night. The icy winds howling through Rezang La were biting and benumbing. In the dim light of the morning, the Chinese were seen advancing through nullahs to attack No.7 and No.8 platoon positions.

The Indian troops fell on their prepared positions to face the enemy offensive. At 0500 hours when the visibility improved both platoons opened up on the advancing enemy with rifles, light machine guns, grenades and mortars. The nullahs were littered with dead bodies. The survivors took position behind boulders and the dead bodies. The enemy was not, however, discouraged. They subjected Indian positions to intense artillery & mortar fire at about 0540 hours. Soon about 350 Chinese troops commenced advance through the nullahs. This time, No.9 Platoon, which held fire till the enemy was within 90 metres opened up with all weapons in their possesion. Within minutes, the nullahs were again full of dead bodies.

Unsucessful in frontal attack, the enemy, approximately 400 strong, then attacked from the rear of the company position. They simultaneously opened intense MMG (medium machine gun) fire on the No.8 Platoon. This attack was contained at the barbed wire fencing of the post. The enemy then resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling. An assault group of 120 Chinese also charged the No.7 Platoon position from the rear. However, Indian 3-inch mortar killed many of them. When 20 survivors charged the post, about a dozen Kumaonis rushed out of their trenches to engage them in a hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, the enemy brought up fresh reinforcements. The encirclement of the No.7 Platoon was now complete. The platoon, however, fought valiantly till there was no survivor. No.8 Platoon also fought bravely to the last man and last round.

Major Shaitan Singh, the Coy Commander, displayed exemplary leadership and courage in the battle of Rezang La. He led his troops most admirably. Unmindful of his personal safety he moved from one platoon post to another and encouraged his men to fight. While moving among the posts he was seriously wounded. But he continued to fight along with his men. While he was being evacuated by two of his comrades, the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Shaitan Singh sensed danger to their lives and ordered them to leave him. They placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill, where he breathed his last. In this action, 109 Kumaonis out of a total of 123 were killed. The Chinese suffered many more in killed. After the war was over, the body of Major Shaitan Singh was found at the same place. It was flown to Jodhpur and cremated with full military honours. Major Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and devotion to duty. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!

navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 09:17 AM
Subedar Joginder Singh, was born on 26 September 1921, in Faridkot, Punjab. On 28 September 1936, he was enrolled in the 1 Sikh Regiment. During the 1962 Indo-China War, Subedar Joginder Singh commanded a platoon in the Tawang sector of NEFA (North East Frontier Agency). While holding a defensive position on a ridge in Tongpeng La area on Bum La axis, the platoon noticed heavy enemy concentration opposite Bum La across the McMohan Line on October 20th. This was indeed a preparatory to the Chinese advance on Bum La axis on October 23rd.

At 0530 hours on October 23rd, the Chinese launched a heavy attack on the Bum La axis. The intention was to achieve a breakthrough to Tawang. The enemy attacked the Ridge in three waves, each about 200 strong. The attack was supported by artillery and mortar fire, besides other weapons. The fierce resistance of the Sikh platoon, however, compelled the enemy to fall back with heavy losses. But he regrouped quickly and launched a fresh attack under the cover of an artillery barrage. However, Subedar Joginder Singh and his platoon stood firm like a rock before the advancing enemy. In this fierce action, the platoon lost half of its men but not the will to fight. Subedar Joginder Singh, despite a wound in the thigh, refused evacuation. His platoon also refused to yield any ground to the enemy. The last wave of the Chinese attack, which was more determined and more forceful followed next. Now the platoon had very few men left to fight. Subedar Joginder Singh, therefore, manned a light machine gun and killed a large number of enemies.

But he could not stem the tide of the enemy advance single-handed. The Chinese Army continued advancing with little concern for the casualties. By now all ammunition with the platoon had been exhausted. When the situation became desperate, Subedar Joginder Singh and his men emerged from their position with fixed bayonets, shouting the Sikh battle cry, "Wahe Guruji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guruji ki Fateh." They fell upon the advancing enemy and bayoneted many to death. Finally better weapons and numerical superiority of the enemy prevailed and Subedar Singh was killed in this epic battle. For his inspiring leadership, courage and devotion to duty, Subedar Joginder Singh was awarded the highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!

navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 09:20 AM
Major Hoshiar Singh, was born on 05 May 1936 in Haryana. He was commissioned in the Grenadiers Regiment on 30 June 1963. He was also Mentioned-in-Despatches. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment spearheaded the advance of 54 Inf. Div. in Shakargarh sector on the western front on the night of December 5th. The 3rd Grenadiers made quick gains in the first ten days of the war. On December 15th, it was assigned the task of establishing a bridge-head across the Basantar river. The river was covered with deep minefields on both sides and protected by well fortified defence by the enemy. Major Singh, Commander of 'C' Company, launched an attack across the enemy minefield on Jarpal from the left. It was a well fortified position held in good strength by the enemy. The company came under intense shelling and crossfire from enemy medium machine guns and suffered heavy casualties.

The 4 Grenadiers, however, continued the assault doggedly and captured their objective. In this battle, most of the enemy bunkers could be cleared only after grim hand-to-hand fighting. The enemy's reaction to the loss of Jarpal was violent. They put in sharp counter attacks, two of them supported by armour, to dislodge the 4 Grenadiers on December 16th. Major Singh, unmindful of the enemy shelling and tank fire, went from trench to trench, encouraging his men to remain steadfast and fight. Inspired by his courage and leadership, his company repulsed all attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. On December 17th, the enemy mounted yet another attack in battalion strength with heavy artillery in support. Though wounded seriously in enemy shelling, Major Singh again went alone from trench to trench, moving in the open. On one occasion an enemy shell landed near his medium machine gun post, injuring the crew and rendering the gun inoperative. Major Singh, realising the importance of fire support at this juncture, rushed to the enemy machine gun pit and operated the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

The enemy attack was repulsed, and they beat a hasty retreat leaving behind behind 85 dead, including their Commanding Officer - Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Akram Raja and three other officers. Throughout this operation, Major Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, grim determination and indomitable spirit. His dogged resistance, complete disregard to his personal safety and cool courage so inspired his command that they performed outstanding acts of gallantry and defeated repeated enemy attempts to recapture the locality. The steadfastness and dauntless courage displayed by Major Hoshiar Singh were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army, and his refusal to be evacuated despite his serious wounds was an act beyond the call of duty. He was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!

navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 09:29 AM
Lance Naik Albert Ekka, was born on 27 December 1942 in Ranchi, Bihar. He was enrolled in the 14 Guards on 27 December 1962. During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the 14 Guards was asked to capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, 6½ km west of Agartala in the eastern sector. It was a well-fortified position, held in good strength by the enemy. The reduction of this position was considered necessary as it was the key to the capture of Akhaura. The 14 Guards launched an attack on enemy positions at 0400 hours on 4 December 1971. Lance Naik Ekka went with the left forward company of the battalion in the attack. The assaulting Indian troops were subjected to intense shelling and small arms fire by the enemy.

Lance Naik Ekka observed that an enemy light machine gun was belching deadly fire from a bunker, causing heavy casualties to his company. Unmindful about his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker, bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the light machine gun. Though seriously injured in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades with courage, securing bunker after bunker. After battling through a distance of 1½ km, when Lance Naik Ekka and his comrades reached the northern end of the objective, an enemy medium machine gun opened up from the second floor of a well-fortified building. It inflicted heavy casualties on the Indian troops and help up their progress.

Once again Lance Naik Ekka, rose to the occasion. Unmindful of his personal safety, he crawled to the building and hurled a grenade into the bunker. One enemy soldier was killed and the other injured. But the MMG could not be silenced. Lance Naik Ekka then scaled the sidewall to enter the bunker. He bayoneted the enemy holding the bunker and silenced the deadly weapon. This saved his company from further casualties and ensured success. Lance Naik Ekka died of the injuries suffered during this battle. As a result of the fall of Gangasagar, the southern and south-western flanks of Akhaura were exposed and the enemy rear was threatened. Consequently the enemy was forced to vacate Akhaura. Lance Naik Albert Ekka was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for displaying the conspicuous bravery and determination

navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 09:31 AM
Why are these stories not in any text book which have elaborate chapters on political leaders?

sidchhikara
December 10th, 2007, 10:33 AM
Why are these stories not in any text book which have elaborate chapters on political leaders?

You could conversely ask why are there no stories about how our politicians are such failures. Stories about heroic soldiers would take away paper and ink that can be used for an eulogy for Indira Gandhi.

That is because our politicians and their propaganda machine want to get our kids when they are young and fill their heads with trash.

navingulia
December 10th, 2007, 11:09 AM
sri krishna has said "a soldier is the biggest yogi"
becoz he sacrifices all for nothing in return. at most times not even a stone to mark his grave. and at times not even a grave.

india has been fortunate to have many such people. they did their duty, its now our duty to build india

crsnadar
December 10th, 2007, 12:40 PM
However money cann't payback the Martyrdom
..but it can ally the families of the Soldiers to some extent.

We hope Govt will do something for Soldiers (Army,Navy,IAF,ICG,BSF & All other paramilitary forces) in the yet to be imposed Pay Commission.

There must be at least 4 to 4.5 times increment in their salery structure.
If a soldier get some tranquility of being satisfied from the family side then only he'll be able to Fight Well for the nation.

Once again

//Shat Shat Naman// to all Martyrs & Soldiers.

Bye

dndeswal
February 6th, 2008, 10:10 PM
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http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/05heroesld1.htm (http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/05heroesld1.htm)

A soldier who was the bravest of the brave

Before he turned 20, Chuni Lal had already won a Sena Medal for bravery on the icy heights of the Siachen glacier. At 21,153 feet, the Siachen glacier is the world's highest and toughest battlefield. To get a sense of the height and what super human effort it must take to fight a battle there, the post that he fought to recapture was just 7,875 feet lower than Mount Everest, which is 29,000 feet tall.

The young sepoy, just two years into the army, had volunteered to be a part of the operation led by the indomitable Naib Subedar Bana Singh, one of India's greatest living heroes, who himself won the Param Vir Chakra, the country's highest gallantry award for that operation.

Chuni Lal was a member of Bana Singh's team, which had the task of clearing Pakistani intruders from the post, which was almost an unbreachable glacier fortress with 1,500 feet high walls of ice on both sides. In extremely difficult circumstances, the men led by Bana Singh crawled from trench to trench and cleared the post of all infiltrators.

Twenty years after that feat of courage, by June 2007, Naib Subedar Chuni Lal had won three gallantry awards and was amongst the most highly decorated soldiers of the Indian Army.

The man from Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah in Doda district -- once the hotbed of militancy -- Chuni Lal's medals and his valour are the stuff of legend. In 1999 he was awarded the Vir Chakra -- the third highest bravery award for fighting back Pakistani infiltrators in Poonch and was instrumental in killing 12 intruders as the post commander.

He also did two stints with the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Somalia and Sudan. His team's courage under fire in Sudan won them a UN citation for valour, the only Indian battalion to be so honoured.

On June 24, 2007, Chuni Lal proved -- yet again -- what made him such an exceptional soldier. Commanding his post in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, at 14,000 feet with a visibility of just 5 metres and a temperature measuring minus 5 degrees, he detected some movement across the fence from the Line of Control. He quickly deployed his soldiers to stop anyone from crossing the LoC.

At 3.30 am the Indian soldiers heard some noise on the fence and challenged it. A volley of Kalishnikov fire greeted the Indian inquiry. The exchange of fire continued for almost an hour, the soldiers surrounded the whole area and searched for the terrorists till daylight broke. On finding nobody, they made way to the last remaining bushy patch -- as they approached closer, to ensure no one had crossed the fence, they were fired upon.

Chuni Lal along with his men continued to close on to the area where the terrorists were hiding and killed two of them on the spot. In the gunfire two soldiers were badly injured and lay precariously close to where the terrorists were. Risking his life Chuni Lal crawled towards them, pulled his men to safety and saved their lives. Then he took charge of the search party again.
He started searching the area, anticipating another hidden terrorist -- his hunch proved right and he saw a third terrorist trying to escape. Chuni Lal charged at him with his weapon, killing him. Unfortunately, the terrorist’s bullet tore his abdomen and left him bleeding profusely.

Unmindful of his grievous injury he took cover behind a boulder, continued firing and did not allow the other terrorists to break the cordon. Under his leadership the two remaining terrorists were also killed. At the end of the operation, five terrorists had been killed and a large amount of ammunition was recovered.

Chuni Lal had lost a lot of blood and by the time a helicopter could airlift him to hospital, the brave soldier had passed into the ages. For his exemplary courage and leadership, Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, who was not even 40 when he died, was awarded the Ashok Chakra, which is equivalent to the Param Vir Chakra, the highest award for bravery.

His rare courage will enhance the annals of Indian military history. The evening before the President of India was to present the award to his grieving wife, his commanding officer and family revealed what made him such an extraordinary soldier and why we should all be grateful to him.
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navingulia
February 7th, 2008, 07:36 AM
Thanks DND sir for putting up this story here. I was myself wanting to.

In the armed forces, the soldiers are trained and regimanted to be patriots and to uphold the honour of their uniform and country. The same should be followed for rest of the country too

May these brave sons of the soil always inspire us to do our best for the country.

India needs an army to fight the battle within.