Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh Rathore MVC

Battle of Fazilka : 13 Dec 1971

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh Rathore was serving with 15 Rajput, which was deployed along the western border in Punjab. The border region, especially around Fazilka, witnessed intense military activity as tensions escalated between India and Pakistan. On 3 December 1971, war formally broke out when Pakistani forces launched a major offensive across the western front. In the Fazilka sector, the enemy managed to penetrate nearly 7 kilometers into Indian territory through the Sulemanki border, despite the resistance put up by the Indian troops at villages such as Beriwala, Gurmi Khera, and Pakka near Fazilka. Recognizing the urgency of the situation and the potential threat of further enemy advancement, the Indian Army mobilized a counter-offensive. Battalions of 15 Rajput, 4 Jat, and 3 Assam were brought together to halt the enemy’s progress and reclaim lost ground. As part of this mission, 15 Rajput was tasked with capturing the strategic Beriwala bridge and the well-defended Ghazi post, both of which held tactical importance for restoring control in the sector. During the assault on Ghazi post, Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh, commanding a section, led from the front with exceptional courage and determination.

The battle that unfolded was among the fiercest in the Fazilka sector. Pakistani resistance was strong, and close-quarter combat soon became inevitable. Despite heavy enemy fire and rising casualties, Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh and his men pressed forward relentlessly, engaging in hand-to-hand combat to dislodge the entrenched enemy positions. Amid the chaos, he observed that two enemy medium machine guns (MMGs) continued to inflict heavy damage on the advancing Indian troops. Fully aware that these weapons posed a critical threat and needed to be neutralized immediately, he made a bold and life-risking decision. Taking two comrades with him, he crawled almost 200 yards across open ground under continuous enemy fire, showing immense resolve and disregard for personal safety. Reaching the first bunker, he lobbed a grenade, destroying the machine gun and eliminating the threat. Without hesitation, he then began advancing toward the second bunker. During this daring move, he was hit by a burst of automatic gunfire on his left shoulder. Severely wounded and bleeding heavily, Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh refused to give up. Drawing on his last reserves of strength, he crawled to within six feet of the target. Just as he prepared to throw a grenade, he was struck again—this time in the chest—from another burst of automatic fire. The injury proved fatal, and he succumbed on the battlefield while carrying out his heroic mission. Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh Rathore displayed unmatched bravery, leadership, and an extraordinary spirit of sacrifice. His actions not only saved the lives of many of his comrades but also played a crucial role in the success of the operation. In recognition of his exceptional gallantry, indomitable courage, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the nation’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, the "Maha Vir Chakra" (MVC).

Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh Rathore is is survived by his brothers Shri Muneshwar Singh and Shri Beerpal Singh.

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

Lance Naik  Drig Pal Singh was commanding a section of a battalion of the Rajput Regiment during an attack on an enemy post on the Western Front. After the capture of the objective by the battalion, two enemy medium machine guns from pill boxes were still interfering with the reorganization and inflicting casualties on our troops. Realizing    the  importance of silencing these guns. Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh took two other ranks with him and with utter disregard for his life and safety crawled 200 yards up to the first bunker and silenced the Medium Machine Gun by lobbing a grenade . He then started crawling to the next bunker but, in the process received a burst from the machine gun on his left shoulder. Although bleeding profusely, he crawled to within six feet of the second bunker and was about to lob a grenade when he received a second burst of automatic fire on his chest killing him on the spot. His daring act however made the enemy to abandon the second bunker , leaving the machine gun and a large quantity of ammunition.

In this action Lance Naik Drig Pal Singh displayed outstanding courage and determination and made the supreme sacrifice in keeping with the highest tradition of the Army.