Maj Balram Singh Jamwal

Major Balram Singh Jamwal hailed from Sochani village near Jammu, a place celebrated for its remarkable military heritage. This small but illustrious village has the rare distinction of producing four General Officers, three Brigadiers, and numerous other officers and soldiers who have served the nation with pride and honour. Growing up in such an environment, surrounded by stories of valour and service, Maj Balram Singh was deeply inspired to follow the same path. His own family embodied this legacy—his elder brothers, Brigadier Krishan Singh and Colonel Bhagwan Singh, were both accomplished officers in the Indian Army, further strengthening his resolve to dedicate his life to the defence of the country. Following this tradition, Maj Balram Singh joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the 9 JAK Rif in 1948.

After nearly 13 years of dedicated service, he was promoted to the rank of Major in 1961. Continuing his distinguished military journey, he was appointed as the first Second-in-Command of 8 JAK Rif when the unit was re-raised at Gwalior in 1963, while still serving with 9 JAK Rif. During his years of service, Maj Balram Singh married Ms. Nirmal Devi, and together they raised five children. Carrying forward his father’s legacy, his elder son, RS Jamwal, also joined the Army and had the rare honour of commanding the same battalion—8 JAK Rif— in which his father had served. He went on to serve the Indian Army for 36 years and retired as a Brigadier in July 2012.

Indo-Pak war: 14/15 Aug 1965 

During August 1965, Maj Balram Singh’s unit, 8 JAK Rif, was deployed in the Chhamb sector of Jammu & Kashmir. In the same month, Pakistan launched ‘Operation Gibraltar’, infiltrating thousands of armed personnel across the border to carry out sabotage and subversion activities. The first clash with the infiltrators occurred on 07 August in the Sunderbani area. At that time, 8 JAK Rif was positioned in the Deva sector, opposite Chhamb. On the night of 07 August, the Battalion Headquarters at Deva was raided by Pakistani forces as a prelude to a major offensive. On 14 August, Pakistan began intense artillery shelling using medium guns and howitzers, targeting the Kalidhar posts and the Battalion HQ at Deva. The enemy continued heavy shelling and launched attacks on various platoons and company pickets, aiming to dislodge Indian positions and establish a firm base for their planned major offensive involving an Infantry Division and an Armoured Brigade.

Pakistan was determined to secure this base in preparation for a large-scale offensive intended to capture Jourian and Akhnoor, to cut off the Poonch–Rajouri region from the rest of the state. Amidst the intense shelling, Maj Balram Singh Jamwal, the Second-in-Command of the battalion, despite being outnumbered and surrounded, refused to leave the forward post. He continued to resist the enemy’s efforts to gain ground and establish a strong foothold. On the second day, the heavy shelling persisted. Maj Balram Singh, who was leading from the front, was seriously injured in the bombardment. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred in action. A valiant soldier and an exceptional officer, he led his men with unwavering resolve, displaying outstanding courage, determination, and leadership. He made the supreme sacrifice, upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Maj Balram Singh Jamwal is survived by his three daughters—Mrs. Reeta Jamwal Sumbria, Mrs. Veena Chadha, and Dr. Seema Jamwal—and two sons—Brigadier RS Jamwal (Retd) and Shri Deepak Singh Jamwal.

Mrs Reeta Jamwal, daughter of Maj Balram Singh Jamwal, paid tribute to her father on his “Day of Martyrdom” on 15 Aug 2019…..

15th August is indeed a red-letter day in the history of India but it has another connotation too in the history of our family. This was the day, 54 years back when my father Maj Balram Singh Jamwal was martyred battling against the enemy forces in J&K. My father was a soldier of unshakable courage who refused to leave his post despite overwhelming odds against him and fought till his last breath.

He left behind Mrs Nirmal Jamwal, a young pregnant widow of 22 years, who had 4 other children to look after. My mother, though stunned by the sight of the crumbling world in front of her eyes, soon braced up to face the world squarely. She, like a true soldier’s wife showed remarkable resilience and determination to bring up 5 young children single-handedly,

My father remained my mother’s hero as long as she was alive and proudly showed that off in ample measure in her thoughts and actions. Although my mother missed the presence of her hero, she always felt proud to be a martyr’s wife and held the “Indian Army” in high esteem. So much so that she encouraged my brother to join the army, who later became the commanding officer of 8 JAK Rifles, the same battalion where my father had served.

Though as children we saw very little of my father, we always found him around through my mother’s stories and memories about him. We grew up adoring him and taking inspiration from his stories of courage and devotion to duty. My father will always remain my “hero” and a compelling reason of looking at 15th Aug through the prism of a martyr’s family.

Thus for me, 15th Aug is also the day to remember the sacrifice of my father and many other soldiers like him who have preserved our freedom with their supreme sacrifice.

Reeta Jamwal Sumbria