Service No : IC-21289
Date of Birth : December 10, 1938
Place of birth : Jalandhar, Punjab
Service : Army
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 9 Jat
Arm/Regt : The Jat Regiment
Operation : Op Cactus Lily
Awards : VrC
Martyrdom : December 10, 1971
Major Hardev Singh Grewal VrC
Maj Hardev Singh Grewal hailed from Jalandhar in Punjab and was born on 10th December 1938. He joined the army at the age of 25 years on 9th February 1964. He was commissioned into 9th Battalion of the Jat Regiment, a regiment known for its courageous soldiers and numerous battle honours. By the year 1971, he had put in around 7 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Major. By that time, he had gathered substantial field experience and developed into a committed officer, commanding respect of his juniors and seniors as well.
Battle of Chhamb (Indo-Pak War)- 10 Dec 1971
During Indo- Pak 1971 war Maj Hardev Singh Grewal’s unit 9 Jat was deployed on the western border. The unit was deployed in Chhamb sector under the operational control of 10 Infantry Division. The Battle of Chamb of 1971 war was an epic feat of arms. It stood out as one of the most instructive battles of all three Indo-Pak wars in terms of operational strategy, small unit actions and handling of armour. The Chhamb sector was bounded by the ceasefire line/international border in the west and south while a range of hills constituted its northern portion running roughly in an east west line. Some ridges, however, jutted downwards from this range of hills and ran along a north south alignment, most prominent of these being the Phagla Sakrana Bridge. As part of ongoing operations, a company of 9 Jat commanded by Maj Hardev Singh Grewal was deployed to defend a locality.
On 7 December 1971, the enemy attacked and managed to get a foothold on one of his localities. Maj Hardev immediately launched a counter-attack and succeeded in restoring the situation, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. On 9 December, the enemy again launched concerted infantry and armour assaults. Moving in the open in utter disregard of his safety, Maj Hardev encouraged his men and repulsed the attacks with heavy casualties to the enemy. On 10 December, though wounded in the thigh, Maj Hardev continued to direct the operations. However while directing the operations, Maj Hardev received an enemy machine gun burst. He later succumbed to his serous injuries and was martyred. Maj Hardev Singh Grewal was a valiant soldier and gritty officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty.
Maj Hardev Singh Grewal was given the nation’s third highest gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice during the operation.
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