Lance Naik Singh Ram VrC

Lance Naik Singh Ram yadav hailed from in Dhawana village of Rewari district in Haryana and was born on 15 January 1931, into a humble and patriotic family. Son of Shri Sheo Karan, who instilled in him the values of hard work and dedication from a young age. Drawn by a sense of duty to serve his nation, L/Nk Singh Ram joined the Indian Army on 7 June 1950, at the age of 19. He was recruited into the 13 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, a prestigious infantry regiment of the Indian Army known for its rich history and valour, dating back to the 18th century. Upon joining the Kumaon Regiment, L/Nk Singh Ram displayed an innate aptitude for soldiering. His commitment to his duties and his regiment made him a dependable soldier. Over time, he earned the respect of his peers and superiors for his discipline and tenacity. He was a wrestler, boxer and a tug of war champion member, and was the flagbearer of the Company at all major sporting events. 

After a few years of service, L/Nk Singh Ram got married to Ms. Ram Payri, a resident of Haryana. By 1962, Lance Naik Singh Ram had dedicated over 12 years of his life to the army, evolving into an experienced and accomplished soldier. Recognized for his skill and leadership, he rose to the rank of Lance Naik, a testament to his unwavering commitment and exemplary service. During these years, he served in various field units, gaining exposure to different terrains and operational challenges, which honed his abilities further. In 1962, as tensions between India and China escalated, the strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir came into sharp focus. L/Nk Singh Ram's battalion, 13 Kumaon, which was stationed in Ambala at the time, was mobilized to Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen India's defensive posture. 

Battle of Rezang La (Indo-China War): 18 Nov 1962

In June 1962, L/Nk Singh Ram's 13 Kumaon battalion, under the command of Lt Col HS Dhingra, was moved from Ambala to Baramulla in J&K. In Sep 1962, when the war clouds with China were on the horizon, the battalion was asked to move to Leh at short notice. The 13 Kumaon battalion was put under the operational control of 114 Infantry Brigade under the command of Brigadier TN Raina (who later became COAS). 114 Infantry Brigade was given the responsibility of defending about 400 km of the Indo-China border, including the Chushul area. Besides 13 Kumaon, 114 Infantry Brigade had four other battalions under its command, including 14 J&K Militia, 7 J&K Militia, 5 Jat, and 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. L/Nk Singh Ram''s unit of 13 Kumaon was deployed at Rezang La.  Alpha Company under the command of Maj GN Sinha was the battalion reserve at the battalion HQs on high ground near Chushul. The Bravo and Delta companies were deployed on Maggar Hill between Spanggur Gap and Rezang La Pass under the command of Capt RV Jatar. By 26 October 1962, L/Nk Singh Ram and other troops had settled in and were busy strengthening their defences. L/Nk Singh Ram at that time was functioning as 2-inch mortar 'Section Commander' of the No 7 Platoon of Charlie Company under the command of Major Shaitan Singh. 

Based on the terrain and threat perception, platoons 7, 8, and 9 were deployed in such a way as to have optimum tactical advantage. The soldiers were placed on the forward slopes of the hill - the 7th Platoon under Jemadar Surja Ram on the north flank; the 8th Platoon under Jem Hari Ram in the pass area; and the central post was held by the 9th Platoon under Jem Ram Chander, with the company HQ next to it. The mortar section under Naik Ram Kumar Yadav was on the reverse slope. The Chinese offensive in this sector commenced on November 18th, coinciding with the attack on Sela in the Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA). A two-pronged assault was launched against the Chushul defenses. The northern prong targeted Gurung Hill, while the second prong attacked the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon, also known as the Ahir Company, at Rezang La. Rezang La was an isolated feature situated approximately 11 kilometers south of Spanggur Gap and dominated the lifeline of the Chushul garrison - the road connecting Leh via Dungti.

On November 18, 1962, the Chinese forces launched a ferocious attack on the Indian post at Rezang La in Ladakh. The attack commenced with heavy artillery and mortar fire, creating an intense and chaotic battlefield. The first wave of attack was launched from the direction of Platoon 8 at around 2:00 AM by a column of enemy soldiers. It was bravely repelled by the soldiers of Platoon 8 under the command of Jem Hari Ram. The second attack was launched at 4:00 AM from the direction of Platoon 7 by another column of enemy soldiers. Jem Surja Ram swiftly redeployed his 'Section-Three' to the planned alternate location to engage the enemy. 'Section-Three', under the command of Naik Sahi Ram, counterattacked the enemy with light machine guns, rifles, and grenades. L/Nk Singh Ram's platoon, aided significantly by Naik Sahi Ram's section, successfully repelled the second enemy attack. The pattern continued with the enemy launching attacks at regular intervals with increasing intensity. L/Nk Singh Ram and his comrades held on to their defences despite suffering losses of men and equipment until the fifth wave of attack, which came at 6:30 AM.

Citation for the "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:-

On 18th November 1962, the Chinese forces attacked our post at Rezangla, Ladakh, with heavy artillery and mortar and established a machine gun position near the post. Naik Gulab Singh and Lance Naik Singh Ram, under orders from their Platoon Commander, charged this position with a handful of men and almost reached it when they were hit by a burst of enemy machine gun fire and killed on the spot.

In this action Naik Gulab Singh and Lance Naik Singh Ram displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty, af the highest order.