Hav Randhir Singh SM

Havildar Randhir Singh Gulia hailed from Nidana village of Maham tehsil in Rohtak district of Haryana and was born on 01 Jan 1935. Son of Shri Mansa Ram and Smt Chhallo Devi, he had the inclination to join the armed forces since his younger days and continued to pursue his dream. Eventually,  after passing his school education he got selected and joined the army on 15 Dec 1953 at the age of 18 years. He was recruited into the 3 Jat Battalion of the Jat Regiment, an Infantry Regiment with a long history of gallantry and battle honours. 

After serving for sometime, he got married to Ms Murti Devi hailing from Haryana and the couple was blessed with two daughters Birmati Devi (Born on 05 Nov 1960) & Santara Devi (Born on 15 Nov 1963) and a son Jai Bhagwan (Born on 20 March 1966).  By 1965, he had put in over 11 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Havildar. In mid 1965, Hav Randhir Singh got involved into thick of operations as his unit got deployed on the western border, when the war with Pakistan became imminent. 

Battle of Dograi (Indo-Pak War): 21/22 Sep 1965

During Sep 1965, Hav Randhir Singh's unit 3 Jat was deployed in Punjab sector. After Pakistan launched “Operation Grand Slam” aimed at occupying the important town of Akhnoor in J & K, Indian Army decided to shift the theater of war to Pakistan’s Punjab area. The intended aim was to attack from the west so that the enemy would be forced to relocate troops engaged in the Akhnoor operation to defend Punjab. This move planned by 54 Infantry Brigade using 15 Dogra, 13 Punjab, C squadron of 14 Horse and 3 Jat, proved to be the turning point of the war. 3 Jat under the command of Lt Col Desmond Hayde was the first to cross the international border on 06 Sep 1965. The two companies of 3 Jat captured the hamlet of Dograi by midday in a surprise and daring attack. However, due to inadequate follow-on support and air cover, the companies had to withdraw and move back to Santpura 9 km away from Dograi. The unit had to wait another fifteen days at Santpura to launch the second attack on Dograi on the night of 21/22 Sep 1965. Hav Randhir Singh was the part of the team assigned to capture the northwestern edge of Dograi village. 

As planned, Hav Randhir Singh and his comrades launched an aggressive attack on the given objective on the night of 21/22 Sep 1965. The enemy positions were heavily defended, but Hav Randhir Singh and his assault team members engaged the enemy with grenades and bayonets. The troops of 3 Jat battalion eventually succeeded in capturing the objectives. However, Hav Randhir Singh got severely injured during the heavy exchange of fire. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Displaying remarkable courage, and fighting spirit Hav Randhir Singh laid down his life at the age of 30 years in the service of the nation following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Hav Randhir Singh was awarded the "Sena Medal" posthumously for his commendable gallantry, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. 

Hav Randhir Singh is survived by his wife Smt Murti Devi, daughters Smt Birmati Devi & Smt Santara Devi and son Shri Jai Bhagwan Gulia.