2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema

2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema hailed from Shimali tehsil of Sargodha district in undivided Punjab(Now in Pakistan) and was born on 22 Oct 1942. After partition, his family migrated to India and settled down in sainthly village in Narwana tehsil of Jind district in Haryana. Son of Shri Amar Singh Cheema and Smt Amar Kaur Bajwa, 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh completed his primary school at Litani, a village located in Uklana Block of Hisar district in Haryana. Thereafter he studied from Govt High School Narwana till his 10th class and passed out in 1958. Subsequently, he joined Govt college at Malerkotla for his graduation. It was at this place, that he developed an interest in sports and poetry. He became the editor of the college magazine and also received many scholarships over a period of time.

In the year 1963, he got selected for the Army and joined the prestigious IMA Dehradun. He passed out of IMA Dehradun in 1964 as a 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 22 years. He was commissioned into the 1 Jat (LI) Battalion of the Jat Regiment, a regiment known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle exploits. 1 Jat (LI), was raised by Capt Samuel Wood as 1st Battalion, 22 Bengal Native Infantry, on November 9, 1803 at Fatehgarh. Lt Col Kyan was the first commandant of 22nd Bengal Native Infantry which comprised only two battalions. The battalion was crested with the title 'Light Infantry' on October 4, 1842 for having marched 1100 miles in 33 days and for its distinguished service during the Afghan war. On February 10, 1921, the British King conferred the title "Royal" on the battalion for its gallant role in the first world war, particularly for its outstanding performance at Festubert. The unit came to be known as 'royal Jats' and, thus, becoming the only battalion in the Indian Army to be bestowed with two titles-"Light Infantry" and "Royal". After serving for some time, 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema got married to Ms Malkait Kaur on 01 March 1965. In the very early part of his service career, he got involved in active operations, when his unit got deployed on the western border as the war clouds gathered on the horizon in 1965.

Indo-Pak War : 22 Sep 1965

During Sep 1965, 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema’s unit 1 Jat (LI) was deployed on the western border. Pakistan launched ‘Operation Gibraltar’ in Aug 1965, wherein thousands of infiltrators were sent across the border to carry out sabotage and subversion. Following the failure of Op Gibraltar, Pakistan invaded Chhamb district on 01 Sep 1965 triggering an aggressive response from the Indian forces. As part of an ongoing combat plan of action in the western sector, 1 Jat (LI) battalion was tasked for various assault operations in September 1965. 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema though young in service, became a part of various operations and proved his mettle as a soldier. 

Just a day before the declaration of ceasefire, Pakistan launched a well-planned and determined attack on the battalion positions in Punjab sector on 22 Sep 1965. 1 Jat (LI), which had advanced to the Ichhogil canal, repulsed two Pakistani counter-attacks and destroyed seven Sherman tanks. The counterattack by 1 Jat (LI) was very fierce and was supported by artillery too. 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh went about directing and inspiring his troops without caring for his own safety.  The battalion succeeded in beating back the enemy attack successfully. However, 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema, while directing operations got seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. 2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema was a gallant soldier and a gritty officer who laid down his life at the age of 22 years in the line of his duty.  

2nd Lt Manjeet Singh Cheema is survived by his wife Smt Malkait Kaur.