Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat VrC

Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat was born on 26 October 1944 in Gadri village of Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, a region known for its deep martial traditions and contribution to the Indian Armed Forces. He was the son of Shri Vijay Singh Rawat and Smt. Musi Devi, who instilled in him values of courage, integrity, discipline and devotion to the nation from a young age. Inspired by the legacy of soldiers from the Garhwal region, he chose the path of service and joined the Indian Army on 26 October 1961, at the young age of 17. His dedication, physical endurance and commitment to duty soon marked him as a promising soldier. He was enrolled into the 4th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, a unit of the prestigious Garhwal Rifles Regiment, renowned for its gallantry, battlefield achievements and heroic service in major operations.

The Garhwal Rifles, with its historic military legacy, was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army in 1887, later becoming part of the British Indian Army and receiving its present name after independence. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel E.P. Mainwaring, the first battalion was raised at Almora on 05 May 1887, later moving to Kalundanda, which was renamed Lansdowne in 1890, now the regimental centre. During the First World War, the regiment fought bravely in trench warfare, where Naik Darwan Singh Negi and Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi were awarded the Victoria Cross, bringing great honour to the unit. In recognition of its distinguished service, the regiment was bestowed the prestigious "Royal" title on 02 February 1921, a rare honour in military history. The regiment continued its illustrious service during the Second World War, participating in several key theatres. After independence, it became an integral part of the Indian Army, taking part in the 1962 India–China War. Growing and training under such a glorious banner of service and sacrifice greatly shaped Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat’s military journey, preparing him to uphold the regiment’s values of courage, duty and unwavering patriotism.

 Battle of Nuranang (Indo – China War): 14 Nov 1962

During the Indo-China War of 1962, Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat was serving with his unit 4 Garh Rif in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) on the eastern border. In the days preceding the Battle of Nuranang during the 1962 Indo–China War, 4 Garhwal Rifles, operating under 62 Infantry Brigade, was tasked with forward reconnaissance and offensive probing in the Mago sector of the Kameng Frontier Division, NEFA. These missions aimed to gather real-time intelligence on Chinese troop concentrations and disrupt enemy preparations in accordance with the brigade’s forward-engagement doctrine. On the night of 14 November 1962, a high-risk combat patrol was launched under the leadership of Second Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Goswamy. The seven-man team included Subedar Bachan Singh Rawat and Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat, selected for their endurance, tactical skill, and mental resilience. The patrol’s objectives were to observe Chinese troop activity near the Rho crossing and north of the Tawang Chu, and, if feasible, capture a Chinese soldier for interrogation.

Advancing stealthily through dense forest and rugged terrain, the patrol reached an observation point overlooking a hut on the northern bank of the Mago Chu by late night. Intelligence suggested that approximately twenty Chinese soldiers were inside, with a lone sentry on guard. Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat volunteered to approach the sentry, demonstrating exceptional courage. During the attempt at silent capture, he physically subdued the sentry in close combat, restraining him under intense resistance. The struggle alerted another Chinese soldier, leading to an exchange of fire. Despite the escalating danger, Rifleman Rawat continued to hold down the sentry alone, displaying extraordinary strength, discipline, and determination under life-threatening conditions. When it became clear that extraction was no longer possible, the patrol disengaged and withdrew in a controlled manner under fire.

During the withdrawal, Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat, who had sustained grievous injuries during the hand-to-hand combat, collapsed due to severe blood loss and exhaustion. Although the patrol continued its withdrawal and returned to Indian lines in the early hours of 15 November 1962, Rifleman Rawat succumbed to his injuries, before the patrol could complete its return. Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat’s actions were instrumental in the success of the mission and the safe withdrawal of his comrades. His bravery in close-quarters combat, unwavering commitment to duty despite grievous wounds, and supreme sacrifice exemplify the highest traditions of the Indian Army. In recognition of his extraordinary courage and gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.

The reconnaissance operation, conducted just two days before the major Chinese offensive, played a vital role in disrupting enemy plans and strengthening morale in the forward areas. Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat’s heroism stands as a powerful reminder of how individual courage can influence the course of larger military engagements.

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

On 14th November 1962 Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat accompanied a patrol, which was given the task of observing the activities of the Chinese north of the river Towang Chu and, if possible, of capturing a Chinese prisoner. With seven men, including Rifleman Rawat, the Commander of the patrol crossed the river at 1900 hours. At 2300 hours the patrol moved stealthily towards a hut where earlier during the day enemy soldiers had been seen. They observed a Chinese sentry sitting near the hut. The patrol leader and Rifleman Rawat set out to capture the sentry while the others were positioned to cover their move and to keep an eye on the hut.

The sentry was sitting with his head down and a rifle resting on his shoulder. While Rifleman Rawat muffled the sentry's mouth with a towel and pulled him back on to the ground, the patrol leader snatched his rifle and tried to tie him up with a rope. As they were grappling with the sentry another Chinese soldier suddenly appeared from the hut, fired but missed, and rushed to rescue his comrade. The patrol leader bayonetted him with the captured rifle while Rifleman Rawat grappled with the sentry single-handed and kept him pinned to the ground. Meanwhile the covering party kept firing on the hut and throwing hand grenades. As by then the Chinese forces in the village had been alerted, the patrol realized that it would not be possible to take the sentry out alive. So they killed him and withdrew to their base at 0100 hours. During this action Rifleman Rawat was killed.

Rifleman Madan Singh Rawat displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty of a high order.