Naik Bahadur Singh was born on 17th September 1931 in Nakhet village of Pithoragarh district, then part of Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand). The son of Shri Man Singh, he grew up in the serene yet rugged Himalayan region, where the spirit of courage and resilience was deeply ingrained in the people. Inspired by the valour and service of soldiers from his region, he chose to dedicate his life to the nation by joining the Indian Army. He was enrolled into the 6 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment on 17th September 1950. Over the years, through discipline, dedication, and consistent performance, he proved himself to be a dependable and courageous soldier. By 1962, after nearly twelve years of service, he had earned the rank of Naik, known for his professionalism, sense of duty, and leadership qualities within his unit.
Indo-China War (Battle of Walong) : 21/22 Oct 1962
During the Indo-China War of 1962, Naik Bahadur Singh’s unit, 6 Kumaon, was deployed on the northeastern frontier to defend India’s territorial integrity. The battalion was positioned in challenging high-altitude terrain, facing extreme weather conditions and an aggressive adversary. On the night of 21/22 October 1962, as the Indo-China War intensified along the eastern frontier, a company of the Kumaon Regiment was deployed to hold the forward defended localities on the MacMohan Ridge in the Kibithu area of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) — one of the most critical and exposed sectors in the region. The terrain was rugged and unforgiving, with steep slopes and dense jungle, and the soldiers were operating under extremely harsh weather conditions at high altitude. In these forward defences, Naik Bahadur Singh was commanding a section located at the most forward post of the company — a position that was crucial for detecting and resisting any enemy advance. Despite the isolation and vulnerability of his post, he and his men maintained an unyielding watch over the border, fully aware of the growing Chinese presence and the possibility of an impending attack.
On 21 October 1962, the enemy launched a fierce and coordinated assault on the Kumaon positions. The Chinese forces, vastly superior in strength and supported by medium machine guns and heavy mortars, advanced aggressively towards Naik Bahadur Singh’s platoon. As the shells exploded around their trenches and enemy fire poured in from multiple directions, Naik Bahadur Singh and his men held their ground with extraordinary courage. Displaying excellent leadership and composure under pressure, he directed his section’s fire with precision, repelling the first wave of attackers and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. However, the respite was short-lived. Determined to capture the position, the enemy regrouped and launched a second, even more intense attack. The Chinese troops, supported by concentrated mortar fire, attempted to overrun the Indian defences through sheer numerical superiority. In the thick of this assault, the members of Naik Bahadur Singh’s Light Machine Gun (LMG) section were killed, leaving the weapon unmanned at a critical moment. Without hesitation, Naik Bahadur Singh himself took over the LMG, positioning it skillfully to deliver effective fire against the advancing enemy.
Despite suffering heavy casualties, Naik Bahadur Singh’s section continued to hold its position under his resolute command. His relentless fire kept the enemy at bay and inspired the few surviving men around him to fight on, even as ammunition ran low and communication with other posts broke down. Though seriously wounded during the fierce exchange, he refused to abandon his weapon and continued to engage the enemy until he was fatally hit by enemy fire. By the time he fell, the post had been reduced to a handful of defenders, but thanks to Naik Bahadur Singh’s bravery, leadership, and determination, they had managed to inflict severe losses on the attacking force and delay their advance. Naik Bahadur Singh was awarded ”Vir Chakra” for his outstanding gallantry, fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.
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