Grenadier Ibrahim Khan

Grenadier Ibrahim Khan hailed from Beri Chhoti village in Didwana tehsil of the Nagaur district in Rajasthan. He joined the Army after completing his school education and was recruited into 14 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers with a rich history of various battle honours. In the very early part of his service career, Gdr Ibrahim Khan got involved into thick of operations as his unit got deployed on the western border, when the war with Pakistan became imminent. 

"Battle of Daruchian" (Indo-Pak War) : 13/14 Dec 1971

During Indo- Pak 1971 war Gdr Ibrahim Khan’s unit 14 Grenadiers was deployed on the western front. In December 1971, India had to go to war with Pakistan as the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani army in their erstwhile eastern part of the country had resulted in an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. Though the war was concentrated on the eastern front, Pakistan launched operations on the western front too. By the second week of Dec 1971, India had almost achieved victory on the eastern front but the border skirmishes were still going on, on the western front. Gdr Ibrahim Khan's unit 14 Grenadiers was involved in operations in the "Battle of Daruchian" during that period. 

After the failure of the Pakistani divisional attack on Poonch, Indian Army decided to carry out local and limited actions all along the ceasefire line to improve its defensive posture. One such attack was launched by an infantry battalion in the area opposite Madarpur on the night of 10/11 December, and having captured Nangi Tekri, Jungle Tekri, Bump and other features denied the use of the Kotli-Madarpur-Hajira road to the enemy. As a follow up to these operations, it was decided to secure Daruchian, a feature blocking the Balnoi neck of the Kotli-Balnoi road between the Poonch river and the ceasefire line. Daruchian was a conical feature, narrow and rugged at the top and with steep projections. It was forested on all sides except the southwest spur and was reported to be held by less than one Pakistani company of regular troops and some Mujahids as part of the main picquet line. 14 Grenadiers battalion under the command of Lt Col Inderjit Singh was tasked to launch an attack on Daruchian and it was allotted an additional company and artillery support of four to six fire units. 

It was a multi pronged attack involving primarily B, C and D companies of 14 Grenadiers and elements of other outside resources. Besides the commanding officer Lt Col Inderjit Singh, Major MH Khan and Capt Hamir Singh as company commanders were involved in planning and executing the operational plan. The attack was launched in the night of 13/14 Dec 1971 in four phases with four assault groups attacking from different directions. Gdr Ibrahim Khan was part of one of the assault groups. The enemy gave a very stiff resistance and the battle for Daruchian continued for over 12 hours. In the fierce exchange of fire during the battle a total of eight officers, seven JCOs and one hundred and forty nine other ranks were martyred, wounded or missing in action. Gdr Ibrahim Khan too got severely injured and was soon martyred.  

Gdr Ibrahim Khan displayed commendable gallantry and devotion to duty during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation.