Service No : 3161673

Place of birth : Bhiwani Dist (Haryana)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Havildar

Unit : 11 Jat

Arm/Regt : The Jat Regiment

Operation : Op Meghdoot

Martyrdom : March 22, 1986

Hav Shyam Lal

Havildar Shyam Lal, hailed from Bhiwani district in Haryana. Deeply driven by a sense of patriotism and a commitment to the nation, he joined the Indian Army, seeking to contribute to the security and honour of his country. His journey began when he was recruited into the 11 Jat Battalion of the distinguished Jat Regiment, a unit renowned for its courage, valour, and illustrious history in the Indian Army. The Jat Regiment, with its strong traditions and decorated past, proved to be the perfect environment for Hav Shyam Lal to hone his skills and fulfill his patriotic calling. He participated in numerous military operations, demonstrating exceptional bravery, tactical acumen, and leadership in challenging circumstances. 

 

By 1986, Hav Shyam Lal had firmly established himself as a battle-hardened and respected member of his unit. Having risen to the rank of Havildar, he had acquired significant leadership responsibilities, overseeing and mentoring several soldiers under his command. The bond between him and his subordinates was built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared sense of duty, all of which contributed to the success of the many operations he took part in. 

 
Op Meghdoot: 19-22 Mar 1986

 

As part of the ongoing Operation Meghdoot, launched in April 1984 to secure the Siachen Glacier, Havildar Shyam Lal joined the troops stationed along the Saltoro Ridge—a critical position in one of the most hostile and strategic battlegrounds in the world. The operation was initiated to counter a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Siachen Glacier, a region of immense strategic importance. The genesis of this dispute can be traced back to the 1949 UN-brokered Karachi Agreement, which delineated the Ceasefire Line (CFL) in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the easternmost stretch of the CFL beyond NJ9842 was left undefined, with the agreement ambiguously stating that it would run “thence north to the glaciers.” For years, the harsh, uninhabitable terrain deterred any military activity in the region.

 

This changed between 1964 and 1972, when Pakistan began to extend the CFL beyond NJ9842 in its maps, projecting it westward toward the Karakoram Pass instead of northward as implied in the original agreement. This cartographic aggression led to Pakistan staking an illegal claim over the Siachen Glacier, escalating tensions. In response, India launched Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 1984, preemptively deploying troops to assert control over the glacier and deny Pakistan’s advances. Indian forces, using helicopters, air-dropped troops at critical passes such as Bilafond La and Sia La, gaining control of approximately 3,300 square kilometers of contested territory. By 1986, Hav Shyam Lal had joined the deployment on the Saltoro Ridge, where soldiers battled relentless snowstorms, sub-zero temperatures, avalanches, and unprovoked enemy shelling. Patrolling in such perilous conditions demanded extraordinary endurance, courage, and resilience.

 

On March 22, 1986, while leading a patrol in the unforgiving terrain of the Siachen Glacier, Hav Shyam Lal and his team were struck by a devastating avalanche triggered by enemy shelling. Despite his exceptional leadership and courage, he became trapped beneath the snow. A massive rescue operation was launched, but the treacherous environment claimed his life. Alongside Hav Shyam Lal, four other brave soldiers of the 11 Jat BattalionNaik Fateh Singh, Sepoy Satyavir Singh, Sepoy Prem Chand Dular, and Sepoy Raj Bir—also made the supreme sacrifice. This tragic loss was part of a series of fatal events for the battalion in the days leading up to March 22. On March 19, 1986, Lance Naik Baljit Singh and Sepoy Ram Kanwar succumbed to injuries sustained during operations. The following day, on March 20, 1986, three more soldiers—Naik Bhagat Singh, Sepoy Tola Ram Khileri, and Sepoy Rameshwar—lost their lives. On March 24, 1986, Havildar Krishan Pal succumbed to his injuries, becoming the last of the battalion’s soldiers to be martyred in this chain of tragic incidents. Hav Shyam Lal was a valiant soldier who embodied the highest traditions of the Indian Army. 

 

Havildar Shyam Lal is survived by his wife Smt Munni Devi.

  • If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
No Comments

Post a Comment