Lance Naik Indra Singh was serving with the 4 Kumaon Battalion during the operations in November–December 1971, when the battalion was deployed as part of the 81 Mountain Brigade under 8 Mountain Division. The brigade was commanded by Brigadier R.C.V. Apte, while the battalion itself was led by Lieutenant Colonel Lakha Singh. This formation operated under IV Corps, commanded by Lieutenant General Sagat Singh, whose headquarters were located at Teliamura in Tripura. IV Corps, comprising 8 Mountain Division (Major General K.V. Krishna Rao), 57 Mountain Division (Major General B.F. Gonsalves), 23 Mountain Division (Major General R.D. Hira, MVC), and Kilo Sector (Brigadier Anand Swarup), was tasked with advancing up to the Meghna River line. Lieutenant General Sagat Singh’s operational vision was to push rapidly towards the Meghna, particularly in the Daudkandi–Chandpur sector, thereby posing a serious threat to Dacca. At the same time, he aimed to prevent Pakistani forces in the Sylhet–Maulvi Bazar and Feni–Chittagong sectors from regrouping or reinforcing the defence of Dacca. As part of this broader strategy, 8 Mountain Division was assigned the task of capturing Maulvi Bazar, followed by the Sherpur–Sadipur ferries, and, depending on the situation, advancing to secure Sylhet and Brahmanbaria. Eventually, it was to be prepared for operations towards Dacca.
Within this framework, 81 Mountain Brigade launched its offensive along the Kailashahar–Maulvi Bazar–Sherpur–Sylhet axis. 4 Kumaon, which had initially been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland, was rapidly reoriented for conventional warfare. In the early phase of operations, the battalion carried out hit-and-run attacks alongside the Mukti Bahini at the Chatlapur Tea Estate, softening enemy positions and gaining valuable combat experience in the theatre. Subsequently, the brigade commenced its main assault. 10 Mahar secured Chatlapur, while 3 Punjab captured Bagichara after stiff resistance. In the next phase, 4 Kumaon advanced to attack Shamshernagar, a key objective in the Sylhet sector. Facing determined Pakistani resistance, the battalion fought fiercely and, after intense combat, successfully captured Shamshernagar along with its strategically important airfield. The battle for Shamshernagar was particularly hard-fought. In order to isolate and encircle the Pakistani forces, 4 Kumaon had to cut off enemy reinforcement routes from Munshi Bazaar and Maulvi Bazar. The brunt of the fighting was borne by Alpha Company of the 4 Kumaon Battalion, which suffered heavy casualties while holding its ground against repeated enemy attempts to break through. In these operations, 20 soldiers of the battalion laid down their lives, and 32 were wounded.
Lance Naik Indra Singh was among those who fought with courage and determination during these critical operations. As part of 4 Kumaon’s relentless advance, he contributed to the battalion’s efforts in securing Shamshernagar and preventing enemy reinforcement, displaying steadfastness and devotion to duty under intense combat conditions. The successful capture of Shamshernagar and its airfield marked a significant achievement for 4 Kumaon and 81 Mountain Brigade, contributing to the overall success of IV Corps in the eastern theatre. In recognition of its gallant actions, 4 Kumaon was later awarded the Battle Honour “Shamshernagar,” a testament to the bravery, sacrifice, and fighting spirit of its officers and men, including Lance Naik Indra Singh. Alongside him, nineteen other brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. They were: Hav Hari Shankar, Hav Sher Singh, Hav Mohan Singh, Nk Man Singh, L Nk Ramnath Singh, L Nk Mehar Chand, L Nk Bhim Singh, Sep Raghubir Singh, Sep Umed Singh, Sep Gor Dhan Singh, Sep Bisram Singh, Sep Thakur Singh, Sep Jitam Singh, Sep Jagat Chand, Sep Kishan Ram, Sep Mangtu Ram, Sep Daya Nand, Sep Bisram Singh SM, and Sep Rameshwar Dayal. Through their collective bravery, determination, and unwavering commitment, these soldiers upheld the highest traditions of the Indian Army and the Kumaon Regiment, contributing significantly to the success of operations in the Shamshernagar sector.
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