Major Bhagat Singh VrC

Major Bhagat Singh hailed from Batala tehsil of Gurdaspur district in Punjab and was born on 13 March 1941. Son of Shri Ishar Singh and Smt Harnam Kaur, he did his schooling at Khalsa High School Gurdaspur and later went on to do his graduation in science (BSc) at Lyallpur Khalsa College Jalandhar. Subsequently, he got selected to join the Army and went to the prestigious IMA Dehradun for training. He passed out of the Training Academy as 2nd Lieutenant on 10 June 1962 at the age of 21 years. He was commissioned into 6 Guards of the Brigade of Guards, an infantry Regiment known for its gallant soldiers and numerous battle exploits. By the year 1965, he had put in around three years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Major.

Indo-Pak War : 14 Sep 1965 

During Sep 1965, Maj Bhagat Singh's unit 6 Guards was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indo-Pak war actually commenced on 01 Sep 1965, when Pakistani forces attacked the Chhamb sector. In response Indian Army launched "Operation Riddle,". The objective of the retaliatory Indian plan was to threaten Lahore, drive a wedge between the Pakistani forces deployed in the Lahore and Sialkot sectors and destroy their war potential. The offensive was to serve the dual purpose of ensuring security of Punjab by advancing the Indian defence line to the Ichhogil Canal and to capture some Pakistani territory to serve as bargaining lever in the political parleys. Simultaneously the Army units were engaged in operations in the Kashmir valley too.  As part of ongoing operations against the enemy in J&K, Major Bhagat Singh of the 6 Guards Battalion was tasked to lead a platoon patrol into the enemy territory in an area opposite Ringpain in Jammu & Kashmir on the night of 14/15 September 1965.

Major Bhagat Singh and his soldiers came across two enemy posts after an arduous march over extremely difficult terrain. Major Bhagat Singh cut the enemy’s telephone communications with the adjoining posts, deployed on one section against one of the enemy posts to stop the reinforcements, and attacked the other enemy post with two sections. The enemy was holding this post with one platoon and one medium machine gun. Major Bhagat Singh took his two sections on either side of the enemy post within ten to fifteen yards of the enemy bunkers, when the enemy opened fire. Major Bhagat Singh shot two of the three enemy soldiers, who came out of the post and threw a number of hand grenades and moved around the the enemy position, without any regard to his personal safety. However while doing so, Major Bhagat Singh received gunshots and was mortally wounded. 

As daylight approached and the platoon was subjected to heavy mortar and medium machine gun fire from adjoining enemy picquets, Major Bhagat Singh ordered the withdrawal of the patrol. Due to his wounds and loss of blood, he felt weak and ordered the patrol back to its pre-arranged rendezvous, saying that he would follow them. However, he was unable to proceed any further, was surrounded by the enemy. Eventually he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred while being taken as a prisoner. Maj Bhagat Singh was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence, who led his men like a true military leader. He displayed outstanding courage, grit, and leadership skills and laid down his life, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra" for his bravery, determination, and supreme sacrifice. 

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

Major Bhagat Singh led a platoon patrol into the enemy territory in an area opposite Ringpain in Jammu & Kashmir on the night of 14^th and 15^th September 1965. After an arduous march over extremely difficult terrain, came two enemy posts. He cut the enemy’s telephone communications with the adjoining posts, deployed on one section against one of the enemy posts to stop the reinforcements, and attacked the other enemy post with two sections. The enemy was holding this post with one platoon and one medium machine gun. Major Bhagat Singh took his two sections on either side of the enemy post within ten to fifteen yards of the enemy bunkers, when the enemy opened fire. Major Bhagat Singh shot two of the three enemy soldiers, who came out of the post and threw a number of hand grenades and moved freely around the the enemy position, without any regard to his personal safety in spite of heavy enemy machine gun fire. The firing continued for half an hour during the exchange of fire Major Bhagat Singh was mortally wounded. 

As daylight approached and the platoon was subjected to heavy mortar and medium machine gun fire from adjoining enemy picquets, Major Bhagat Singh ordered the withdrawal of the patrol. Due to his wounds and loss of blood, he felt weak and ordered the patrol back to its pre-arranged rendezvous, saying that he would follow them. However, he was unable to proceed any further, was surrounded by the enemy and died as he was being taken as a prisoner.

Major Bhagat Singh not only inflicted heavy causalities on the enemy, but also sacrificed his life to save the patrol from further causalities. The courage, determination and unquenchable fighting spirit displayed by Major Bhagat Singh were in the best tradition of the Army.