Naik Jadunath Singh PVC

Naik Jadunath Singh was born on 21 November 1916 in the village of Khajuri, in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of a poor farmer, Shri Birbal Singh Rathore, and Smt Jamuna Kanwar. Growing up in a large family of eight children—seven brothers and one sister—life was marked by hardship and responsibility from an early age. Due to limited access to education, he could study only up to Class 4 in the village school. Alongside his studies, he worked in the fields and helped with household duties to support his family. Despite these challenges, he developed remarkable physical strength and courage and became well known in the village as a wrestling champion who would often stand up to unruly elements and protect others. Motivated by a strong sense of duty and resilience shaped by his upbringing, he was enrolled into the Rajput Regiment on 21 November 1941 at the Regimental Centre, Fatehgarh. After completing his military training, he was posted to 1st Battalion, The Rajput Regiment (1 Rajput).

During the years that followed, he took part in operations during the Second World War, where he proved his mettle as a disciplined and dependable soldier. His sincerity, hard work, and battlefield performance earned him recognition within the unit, and after nearly six years of service, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik in July 1947. Soon after Independence, the young nation faced its first major military challenge when Pakistan launched an invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947. In December 1947, 1 Rajput, including Naik Jadunath Singh, was deployed to Jammu and Kashmir to defend the country’s territorial integrity. It was under these demanding and hostile conditions that he would soon go on to display extraordinary courage and make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

 Battle of Taindhar (Indo-Pak War-1947-48) : 06 Feb 1948

On 28 October 1947, following the formal accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India by Maharaja Hari Singh, the Government of India officially declared its decision to extend military assistance to defend the state against Pakistan’s aggression. In response, Pakistan launched coordinated attacks on multiple fronts across Jammu and Kashmir. One such critical front was the Naushera sector, where the Taindhar ridge held immense strategic importance. Control of this ridge would have enabled the enemy to advance further and potentially threaten the Srinagar airfield, a vital lifeline for Indian operations. On 1 February 1948, the Indian Army’s 50 Para Brigade launched a determined offensive and successfully recaptured Naushera. The operation inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistani forces, compelling them to retreat and significantly strengthening India’s defensive position in the sector. However, the enemy soon attempted to regain lost ground. On 6 February 1948, Pakistani forces initiated a fierce assault on the Taindhar sector by opening intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire on the Indian pickets positioned along the ridge. The entire ridge and the surrounding hills came under relentless bombardment. Taking advantage of the darkness, the enemy advanced stealthily towards the Indian positions. By dawn, the attacks intensified, with repeated attempts to overrun the posts.

It was during these critical moments that Naik Jadunath Singh, commanding Picket No. 2, displayed exceptional courage, presence of mind, and leadership. Leading a small detachment against overwhelming odds, he repulsed the enemy’s initial assault and threw them into confusion. In the fierce exchange of fire, four of his men were wounded. Undeterred, he swiftly reorganised his depleted section and prepared for the next attack, inspiring his men to hold their ground despite their injuries and exhaustion. When his Bren gunner was seriously wounded during the renewed enemy assault, Naik Jadunath Singh immediately took over the Bren gun himself. As the enemy advanced once again, this time reaching the very walls of the post, he unleashed such devastating and accurate fire that he broke their momentum and forced them to withdraw. Through his indomitable spirit and fearless leadership, he turned a situation that appeared close to defeat into yet another victory, successfully saving the post for the second time. By this point, he had lost all the men of his post. The enemy launched a third attack to capture the post. Naik Jadunath Singh charged the enemy with his sten gun, despite being alone and wounded. The enemy, surprised by this daredevilry, fled in disorder. During this exchange, two enemy bullets pierced his head and chest, and Naik Jadunath Singh was martyred. At such a critical stage for Naushera, he saved his picket and was honoured with the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” for his outstanding bravery, unyielding fighting spirit and self-sacrifice for the nation.

The citation for the "Param Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

At No 2 picquet on Taindhar on 6 February 1948, No 27373 Naik Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward section post, which bore the full brunt of the enemy attack. Nine men against overwhelming odds garrisoned the little post. The enemy launched its attack in successive waves and with great ferocity to overcome this post. The first wave swept up to the post in a furious attack. Displaying great valour and superb qualities of leadership Naik Jadunath Singh so used the small force at his disposal that the enemy retired in utter confusion.

Four of his men were wounded but Naik Jadunath Singh again showed his qualities of good leadership by reorganizing the battered force under him, for meeting another onslaught. His coolness and courage were of such an order that the men rallied and were ready for the second attack which came with greater determination and in larger number than the preceding one. Though hopelessly outnumbered, this post under the gallant leadership of Naik Jadunath Singh resisted. All were wounded, and Naik Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, personally took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren gunner. The enemy was right on the walls of the post but Naik Jadunath Singh once again showed outstanding ability and valour of the highest order in action. By his complete disregard for his personal safety and example of coolness and courage, he encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating, that what looked like impending defeat was turned into a victory and the enemy retreated in chaos leaving the dead and wounded littered on the ground. With this act of supreme heroism and outstanding example of leadership and determination, Naik Jadunath Singh saved the post from the second assault.

By this time, all men in the post were casualties. The enemy put in his third and final attack in undiminished numbers and determination to capture this post. Naik Jadunath Singh, now wounded, prepared literally single-handed to give battle for the third time. With great courage and determination, he came out of the sangar and finally with the Sten gun, made a most magnificent single-handed charge on the advancing enemy, who, completely taken by surprise, fled in disorder. Naik Jadunath Singh, however, met his gallant death in his third and last charge when two bullets hit him in the head and chest. Thus, charging single-handedly at the advancing enemy, this Non-Commissioned Officer, performed the highest act of gallantry and self-sacrifice and by so doing saved his section-nay, his whole picket from being overrun by the enemy at the most critical stage in the battle for the defence of Naushera.

• A sports stadium in his birthplace Hathoura Bujurg in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh is named as ‘Param Vir Chakra Naik Jadunath Singh Sports Stadium’ in his honour.
• His battalion, the 1 Rajput was awarded the Victoria Cross.
• India Post released a Commemorative stamp on 15 Sep 1998 to mark Bicentenary of the battalion. The First day cover released on 15 Sep 1998 shows a Param Vir Chakra which was awarded to Naik Jadunath Singh.
• The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), named fifteen of her Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT “Naik Jadunath Singh, PVC” was delivered to SCI on 21-09-1984.
• The Housing project of Jadunath Enclave in Faridabad was named after Naik Jadunath Singh PVC.