Lance Naik Hanuman Ram

Lance Naik Hanuman Ram Jakhad hailed from Ghandawa village in Surajgarh tehsil of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan and was born in the year 1945. Son of Shri Tularam Jhakhad and Smt Chana Devi, he joined the army the year 1962 at the age of 17 years. He was recruited into the 2 Grenadiers Battalion of the Grenadiers, an infantry Regiment known for its gallant soldiers and a string of battle exploits. Very early in his service career, he got involved in active operations and took part in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, as his unit got deployed on the western border during that period. 

Nathu La Operation: 11 Sep 1967

During Sep 1967, Lance Naik Hanuman Ram's unit 2 Grenadiers was deployed in East Sikkim near Nathu La Pass. Nathu La Pass was located on the watershed serving as a natural boundary and connected Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region. This pass was of utmost importance to the Indian Army as it provided a tactical advantage of observation and fire. After the 1962 war, trade through this route was closed. India on August 20, 1967, started fencing its border with three layers of barbed wire, which did not go down well with the Chinese forces. On August 23, 1967, Chinese soldiers marched towards the Nathu La, carrying rifles fitted with bayonets, and stopped at the border. About an hour later, the Chinese troops withdrew. However, they returned again and continued with their protests. On Sept 5, 1967, India started upgrading barbed wire fence to a concertina coil. During this, the Chinese political officer landed in an argument with India's Commanding Officer of the local infantry battalion, Lt Col Rai Singh, after which the work was halted. 

On September 7, 1967, the work was resumed which provoked the Chinese Army. About 100 Chinese soldiers scuffled with the Indian soldiers but were beaten down by the Indian Army. The fencing was to be completed by September 11, 1967.  As the army engineers were engaged in the construction of the fencing, 2 Grenadiers battalion along with 18 Rajput battalion was detailed as a protection party for engineers, who were constructing a wire obstacle at Nathu La.  Capt Prithvi Singh Dagar from 2 Grenadiers was detailed as the Officer in charge of the party that was ordered to strengthen the wire-laying party opposite the 'South Shoulder' at Nathu La. Lance Naik Hanuman Ram was part of the team along with other soldiers of 2 Grenadiers. However as the wire was being laid, a scuffle erupted with the Chinese soldiers. The Chinese soldiers opened fire from the front as well as from both the flanks. In this firing, the leader of the team Capt Dagar was hit by a rifle bullet in the right hand.

Despite being injured, Capt Dagar showed remarkable courage and led from the front in attacking the enemy. Lance Naik Hanuman Ram and his comrades fought valiantly and gave a befitting reply to the enemy actions. However, during this process, Lance Naik Hanuman Ram got severely injured and was soon martyred. Lance Naik Hanuman Ram Jakhad was a valiant and committed soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 22 years in the service of the nation.