Indian Heros

          Lt Col AB Tarapore     Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was the Commanding Officer of POONA HORSE Regiment in Sialkot sector during 1965 War. On 11 September 1965, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore's Regiment was counter attacked by the enemy's heavy armour. The Regiment defied enemy's charge, held its ground and gallantly attacked Phillora. Despite being wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore refused to be evacuated and led his Regiment to capture Wazirwali, Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi. Inspired by his leadership, POONA HORSE destroyed 60 Pakistan tanks. However, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore's tank was hit by a shell, enveloped in flames and he died a hero's death. The valour displayed by him for six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army, for which he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).

     On 03 Nov 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company of 4 KUMAON was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam in response to the invasion by Pakistan forces in Srinagar. The enemy, estimated at about 500, attacked his company position from three sides with the intention of capturing the Srinagar airfield. Major Somnath Sharma led his company to fight the enemy with dogged determination. With extreme bravery he kept rushing across the open ground to his troops, skilfully directed their fire onto the enemy, until a mortar shell exploded near him. His inspiring leadership led his troops to keep fighting for many hours after his death, thus stalling the enemy attack. For exhibiting an act of inspiring leadership, conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).

2nd Lieutenant Rana Raghoba Rane      On 08 April 1948, Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane of Bombay Sappers, was in charge of the mine and roadblock clearing party at Mile 26 on Naushera-Rajouri road. The enemy started heavy shelling of the area, killing two and injuring five of the mine clearing party. Despite being wounded Second Lieutenant Rane crouched under a monstrous Stuart tank and began crawling with it. He synchronized himself with the movements of dangerous tank wheels and navigated the tank through the minefield and directed its movement by a rope tied to the tank driver, thus, securing a safe lane for the advancing Indian tanks. For displaying conspicuous bravery and gallantry of the highest order in the face of the enemy he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.     

    NK Jadunath Singh        At No 2 picquet on Tain Dhar on 6th February 1948, No 27373 NK Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward section post which bore the full brunt of the enemy attack. NK Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, personally took over the bren gun and with complete disregard for his personal safety he encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating that what looked like impending defeat was turned into victory. This Non Commissioned Officer performed the highest act gallantry and self sacrifice and by so doing he saved his section-nay his whole picquet from being overrun by the enemy at the most critical stage in the battle for the defence of Naushera. Naik Jadunath Singh of 1 RAJPUT was a post commander at Tain Dhar near Naushera in Jammu & Kashmir. On 6 February 1948, enemy forces attacked his post in successive waves. He and his section were able to ward off three successive attacks by the enemy. By the end of third wave, of the 27 men a

     Hav Maj Piru Singh           On 18th July 1948, CHM Piru Singh of 6 RAJ RIF South of TITHWAL, 'D' Company, of which No 2831592 Hav Maj Piru Singh was tasked to attack and capture an enemy occupied hill feature at Thithwal in Jammu & Kashmir. As the attack advanced, they met with heavy MMG fire and a volley of grenades. More than half of the section were killed or wounded. CHM Piru Singh urged the remaining men to continue fighting and destroyed two MMG positions despite being wounded. He suddenly realized that he was the sole survivor. When the enemy lobbed another grenade at him, he crawled forward with blood dripping from his face and destroyed the enemy position before breathing his last. For exhibiting the most conspicuous valour, indomitable gallantry and for making the supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).     

Maj Dhan Singh Thapa     Major Dhan Singh Thapa of 1/8 GORKHA RIFLES was in command of a forward post in Ladakh. On 20 October 1962, his post was attacked by Chinese troops in overwhelming strength after intense artillery and mortar bombardment. Under his leadership, the greatly outnumbered post repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on them. The enemy attacked a second time and met a similar fate. The Chinese attacked for the third time, with infantry supported by tanks. Though considerably reduced in number, the post held out to the last. Major Dhan Singh Thapa killed several enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat before he was finally overpowered. Major Thapa's courage, conspicuous gallantry and leadership were in the highest traditions of the Army, for which he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.     

     Sub Joginder Singh       Sub Joginder Singh was the commander of a platoon of the Sikh Regiment holding a defensive position at a ridge near tongpen La in NEFA. At 5.30 am on October 23, the Chinese opened a very heavy attack on the Bum La axis with the intention of breaking through to Towang. Sub Joginder Singh was wounded in the thigh but refused to be evacuated. Under his inspiring leadership, the platoon stubbornly held its ground and would not withdraw. Throughout this action, Sub Joginder Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order. On 23 October 1962, Subedar Joginder Singh's platoon of 1 SIKH repulsed two Chinese attacks in Bumla, Arunachal Pradesh, wherein the enemy suffered heavy losses. His platoon had by then lost half its men. The JCO was wounded in the thigh but refused to be evacuated. Under his inspiring leadership, the platoon stubbornly held its ground, when the position was attacked for the third time. Subedar Jogi

Maj Shaitan Singh      Major Shaitan Singh was commanding a company of 13 KUMAON at Rezang La in Jammu & Kashmir at a height of about 17,000 feet. On 18 November 1962, Chinese troops attacked his location with overwhelming strength. Major Shaitan Singh dominated the scene of operations and moved from one platoon post to another at great personal risk, sustaining the morale of his troops. Despite being grievously wounded he continued to encourage and lead his men, who, following his brave example fought gallantly and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. When his men tried to evacuate him, he refused and kept motivating them to keep fighting, till he breathed his last. For his conspicuous bravery, inspiring leadership and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).     

     Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon   On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was bombed and strafed by six Pakistani Sabre aircraft     Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks. ON 14 DECEMBER 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of enemy Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time. Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensured, he secured hits on one aircraft and set another on fire. Even through alone, Flying Officer Sekhon engaged the enemy in an unequal combat. In the fight that followed, at treetop height, he almost held his own, but was eventually overcome by the sheeer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and be was killed.     

     Hav Abdul Hamid      CQMH Abdul Hamid was serving in 4 GRENADIERS in Khem Karan Sector during the Indo-Pak War of 1965,  At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965, Pakistani forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Chima on the Bhikkiwind road in Khem Karan Sector. Company Quarter Master Hav Abdul Hamid, who was commander of a recoilless gun detachment, moved out of a flanking position, with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire. Hav Abdul Hamid's brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard to his personal safety during the operation and his sustained act of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his Unit but to the whole Division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.     

L/Nk Karam Singh On 13 October 1948, Lance Naik Karam Singh of 1 SIKH was commanding a section at Richhmar Gali in Jammu & Kashmir. The enemy commenced its attack with heavy shelling of guns and mortars, which damaged all bunkers of the post. Despite being wounded and bleeding profusely, Lance Naik Karam Singh went from bunker to bunker, giving succour to his comrades and motivated them to fight. The enemy launched eight separate attacks that day. In each and every attack, Lance Naik Karam Singh encouraged and pepped up his buddies, while fighting the enemy. His section finally launched a counter attack and charged at the enemy with their bayonets to defend Richhmar Gali. For conspicuous courage and indomitable gallantry under extreme adverse circumstances, Lance Naik Karam Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

  ग्रेनेडियर योगेंद्र सिंह यादव     On night of 3-4 July1999 , Gren Yogender Singh Yadav was part of the Ghatak Platoon tasked to capture Three Bunkers on Tiger Hil. Volunteering to lead the assault, Gren Yadav was scaling the vertical cliff face, when the enemy opened up with automatic fire. He continued to scale the cliff through a volley of fire. In spite of being hit by three bullets in his groin and shoulder, displaying super human strength and resolve, he reached the top. He then crawled up and lobbed a grenade into the first bunker, killing four enemy soldiers. Yet again, he charged the second bunker with his colleagues and in a fierce hand to hand combat, killed three Pakistani soldiers. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and gallantry of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Gren Yadav has been awarded the PARAM VIR CHAKRA       

Rfn Sanjay Kumar      Rfn Sanjay Kumar was the leading Scout of team tasked to capture Area lat Top on 04 July 99. Having scaled the cliff, the team was pinned down by automatic fire from an enemy bunker, 150 meters away. With complete disregard-to his personal safety, he crawled up the ledge and charged at the bunker. Hit in the chest and forearm, he continued to charge. After clearing the first bunker, he picked- up the enemy machinegun and charged the second enemy bunker. Three enemy soldiers were killed on -the spot. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and gallantry of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Rfn Sanjay Kumar has been awarded the PARAM VIR CHAKRA.      Rfn संजय कुमार टीम के प्रमुख स्काउट थे, जिन्हें 04 जुलाई 99 को एरिया लेट टॉप पर कब्जा करने का काम सौंपा गया था। चट्टान पर चढ़ने के बाद, टीम को 150 मीटर दूर दुश्मन के बंकर से स्वचालित रूप से फायर आने लगी । अपनी व्यक्तिगत सुरक्षा की पूर्ण अवहेलना के साथ, उन्होंने बग़ल में क्रॉल किया और

     Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey      Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey on night of 2-3 Jul 99, Manoj Kumar Pandey was leading attack to capture Khalubar. In a display of courage witnessed in close combat, this young officer surged ahead of his troops and charged at the enemy through a hail of bullets. Wounded in the shoulder and leg, he pressed on his solitary charge till he closed onto the first bunker. In a ferocious hand to hand combat, he laid low two of the enemy and cleared the first bunker with complete disregard to his grievous injury. The officer, rushed from bunker to bunker, inspiring his men until the last of the enemy was annihilated. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, Lt Pandey has been awarded the PARAM VIR CHAKRA posthumously.     

    Capt Vikram Batra        Capt Vikram Batra. On 20 June 99, 13 JAK RIF was tasked to capture Point 5140. Capt Vikram Batra, in an audacious move, decided to attack the enemy position from the rear along a sheer cliff face. Undaunted by fire, the officer, followed by five of his men climbed up and hurled two grenades into the, enemy. Sangar. As three enemy soldiers came out, he single handedly engaged them in a close fire fight and killed all three. Mortally wounded, he went back and called forward his men, regrouped them and led them to capture Point 5140. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and junior leadership of the highest order in the face I of the enemy, Capt Batra has been awarded the PARAM VIR CHAKRA posthumously     

     Maj Ramaswamy Parameswaran      On 25th November last year Maj Ramaswamy Parameswaran was returning from search operation in Sri Lanka late in the night, when his column was ambushed by a group of militants. With cool presence of mind he encircled the militants from the rear and boldly charged into them, taking them completely by surprise. During hand-to-hand combat one militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted and unmindful.. of his grave injury, he snatched the rifle from the militant and shot him dead. In that condition he continued to give orders and inspired his command till he breathed his last. The ambush was cleared. Maj Parameswaran displayed the most conspicuous bravery and made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life.      मेजर रामास्वामी परमेस्वरन देर रात श्रीलंका में सर्च ऑपरेशन से लौट रहे थे, जब उनके कॉलम पर आतंकवादियों के एक समूह ने घात लगाकर हमला किया था। मन की शांत उपस्थिति के साथ उन्होंने आतंकवादियों को पीछे से घेर लिया और उन पर साहसपूर्वक हमला किया , उन्हे

Naib Sub Bana Singh      Nb Sub Bana Singh volunteered to be a member of a task force constituted in June 1987 throw out the infantry4ating Pakistani troops on a thin ridge in the Siachen Glacler. In the Siachen Glacier area at an altitude of 21,000 feet. The post was virtually, an impregnable glacier fortress with ice walls, 1500 feet high, on both sides. He inspired them by his Indomitable courage and leadership. The brave Nb sub and his men crawled and closed in on the adversary. Moving from trench to trench, lobbing hand grenades charging with a bayonet, he cleared the post of all intruders. Nb Sub Bana Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and leadership under the most adverse conditions.     

     Major Hoshiar Singh      On 15 December, 1971 a battalion of the Grenadiers was given the task of establishing a bridgehead across the Basantar River in the Shakargarh Sector. Maj Hoshiar Singh was commanding the left forward company and he was ordered to capture the enemy locality at Jarpal. Maj Hoshiar Singh, unmindful of the heavy shelling and tank fire, went from trench to trench, motivating his command and encouraging his men to stand fast and fight. Though seriously wounded b1 enemy shelling. Maj Hoshiar Singh again went from trench to trench moving about in the open with utter disregard to his personal safety when an enemy shell landed near the Medium Machine Gun post injuring the crew and rendering the Machine Gun fire, immediately rushed to the Machine Gun pit and though seriously wounded himself, manned the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Throughout his operation, Maj Hoshiar Singh displayed most conspicuous gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and leader

2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal     On the 16rJ December, 1971. 2/Lt Khetarpal assaulted the enemy strong points, physically overrunning them and capturing the enemy's infantry and weapon crews at pistol point. His troop was killed, but 2/Lt Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly till all opposition was overcome. 2/Lt Khetarpal was ordered to abandon his tank but he did not abandon his tank as there was still the task of establishing a bridgehead across the Basantar river. Inspite of wounds and his own tank burning he continued engaging the enemy tanks and destroyed one more. His tank was bit a second time as a result of which he died but the enemy was denied. In this action, 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal displayed most conspícuous gallantry in" the face of the enemy, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacity of purpose.

     L/Nk AIbert Ekka      L/Nk AIbert Ekka was in the left forward company of a Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards during their attack on the enemy defence at Gangasagar on the Eastern Front. L/Nk Albert Ekka noticed an enemy light Machine Gun inflicting heavy casualties on his company. With complete disregard to his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker, bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the Light Machine Gun. Though. seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades through the mile deep objective clearing bunker after bunker with undaunted courage. In this action, L/Nk Albert Ekka displayed the most conspicuous valour, determination and made the supermen sacrifice in the best traditions of the Army.