Service No : IC-6391

Date of Birth : July 4, 1927

Place of birth : Bikaner, Rajasthan

Service : Army

Last Rank : Major

Unit : 13 Grenadiers

Arm/Regt : The Grenadiers

Operation : Indo-Pak War-1965

Awards : Vir Chakra

Martyrdom : November 30, 1965

Major Puran Singh Rathore VrC

Major Puran Singh Rathore hailed from Manera village in Lunkaransar tehsil of Bikaner district in Rajasthan and was born on 04th July 1927. Son of Shri Kana Singh, Major Puran Singh lost his mother when he was barely two years old.  He joined the Walter Noble High School at the age of 6 years and later studied from King George Indian Military School Ajmer. After completing his schooling from Ajmer he joined the Bikaner Training Centre in 1945 as a cadet. Subsequently he joined the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun in the year 1946. He passed out from IMA in the year 1947 as a 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 20 years. He was commissioned into 13 Grenadiers battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its valiant soldiers and various battle honours.

 

After completing his training, he served in Jammu and Kashmir and took part in various operations. In the year 1952, he was serving with 16 Rajput battalion, when he was instrumental in apprehending around eight enemy spies. By the year 1964, he had put in around 17 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Major. When the war clouds gathered on the horizon in 1965, Major Puran Singh's unit got deployed in Jaisalmer sector on the Rajasthan border. 

 

Jaisalmer Sector (Indo-Pak War) : Oct/Nov 1965

 

During Oct/Nov 1965, Major Puran Singh's unit 13 Grenadiers was deployed in in Jaisalmer sector of Rajasthan and was manning the forward posts. Though the Indo Pak war of 1965, officially ended on 23 Sep 1965, border skirmishes were continuing thereafter to occupy positions of advantage. The Indian Army troops were maintaining a very high level of alert at all border posts to thwart any attempt of misadventure by enemy forces. 13 Grenadiers battalion besides manning the forward posts,  also launched armed patrols at regular intervals to monitor its AOR (area of Responsibility). On 31 Oct 1965, Major Puran Singh as Company Commander of 'C' company was leading one such patrol in Sadhewala sector in Jaisalmer.

 

As the patrolling operation was underway, Major Puran Singh suddenly came face to face with the enemy forces hiding in a well fortified position. Rising to the occasion Major Puran Singh quickly deployed his men so that the enemy was almost encircled. When the enemy opened heavy fire, Major Puran Singh led his men and returned the fire so effectively that the enemy abandoned the position. Subsequently Major Puran Singh was also instrumental in foiling three successive enemy attacks on another position. On 30 Nov 1965, Major Puran Singh as commander of Tanot post, was moving to Sadhewala post, when enemy ambushed him west of village Sadrau.  Major Puran Singh's Jeep was attacked by enemy machine-gun fire from both sides of the track. Major Puran Singh received multiple gun shots and was severely injured in right leg and skull.  He still managed to come out of the Jeep and crawled for approximately 30 yards to get behind cover. He was later on picked by the patrol, which was sent immediately from Tanot post. However he later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. 

 

Major Puran Singh Rathore was a brave soldier and gritty officer, who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty.  Maj Puran Singh was awarded "Vir Chakra" for his outstanding valour, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice. 

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