Saluting our Heroes: CQMH Abdul Hamid, PVC

Today, I would like to share with all of you an incredible story of valour and bravery demonstrated by CQMH Abdul Hamid – a “Param Veer” – during the war with Pakistan in 1965. From the Indian Army website:

The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.

*** Saluting our Heores – CQMH Abdul Hamid, PVC ***

Abdul Hamid’s story is short but exceptional. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid was already a battle-scarred veteran with the 4 Grenadiers when his division was deployed in the Khem Karan sector in Punjab in early September, 1965. As the Indian Army website notes, in his 10 years of service, he had already earned “the Sainya Seva Medal with Clasp J&K, the Samar Seva Medal and the Raksha Medal”.

Early September 1965: Pakistan has just launched an intense offensive in J&K (Operation Grand Slam) aimed at capturing Akhnoor in Jammu, with the intent of cutting off communications and supply routes to the Indian forces on the border in J&K. India has retaliated with air attacks and is at the verge of opening the front in Punjab.

On 6th September, Indian forces led by the formidable 15th Infantry commanded by WWII veteran Major General Prasad, launch an offensive near the west bank of Ichogil canal (a de facto border between India and Pakistan). The war has now effectively moved beyond the border in J&K. One of the most remarkable battles of this war is now about to unfold. The sector is Khem Karan – the fall of which might open the way to Amritsar. Khem Karan is therefore critical to the defense plan. Abdul Hamid and his colleagues are part of the 4 Indian Division that has been entrusted with responsibility to capture of Pakistani territory east of Ichhogil Canal and contain possible enemy attack on the Kasur-Khem Karan axis.

While the brave men of the 4th Division have succeeded in reaching Ichhogil, they have been stalled from moving further by intense shelling from enemy troops and a powerful Pakistani offensive.  But the area they are holding on to is critical to sustain the divisional plan of defence. They cannot afford to loose the position. This is what happened next:

On September 8th night, the enemy made repeated probing attacks on Grenadiers positions but was frustrated in all the attempts. The most serious threat, however, developed when the enemy attacked with a regiment of Patton tanks at 0800 hours on September 10th. The attack was preceded by intense artillery shelling so much so that a shell littered every yard of ground occupied by the battalion.

By 0900 hours, the enemy tanks had penetrated the forward company positions. At this critical juncture, Hamid was commanding a recoilless gun detachment. Seeing the gravity of the situation, he moved out to a flank with his gun mounted on a jeep. Intense enemy shelling and tank fire did not deter him.

From his new position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank with accurate fire. Then he changed his position and knocked out another enemy tank. By this time the enemy who had spotted his position brought down concentrated machine gun and high explosive fire on him.

But he kept on firing. As he fired to hit yet another enemy tank, he was mortally wounded by a high explosive shell.

Unfortunately Abdul Hamid did not live to see the next day or share in the joy of victory that came after 3 days of intense fighting. But his sustained act of bravery and disregard for personal safety proved to be an inspiration not only to his unit but also to the whole division. Thanks largely to the men of 4th Division, the The Pakistani 1st Armored – which was spearheading the attack, never made it past Khem Karan.

By the end of September 10 (Pakistan’s First Armoured Division) lay disintegrated by the defences of the Indian 4th Mountain Division at what is now known as the Battle of Asal Uttar (lit. meaning – “Real Answer”, or more appropriate English equivalent – “Fitting Response”). Approximately 97 Pakistani tanks were destroyed or abandoned during the battle… [link]

Some of these tanks were subsequently set up and displayed at a war memorial called Patton Nagar in KhemKaran district in Punjab.

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia (via Abhinay Rathore). This picture is of my maternal grandfather Brig. Hari Singh Deora A.V.S.M (Ati Vishisht Sewa Medal), 18th Cavalry (Indian Army). This picture was taken after Indian Army destroyed over 100 Patton and Sherman Tanks of Pakistani Army during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The place was later named as Patton Nagar in Pakistan.

CITATION

Company Quarter Master Havildar AbduL Hamid, 4 Grenadiers (NO 2639985)

At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965 Pakistan forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Cheema on the Bhikkiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector.  Intense artillery shelling preceded the attack.  The enemy tanks penetrated the forward position by 0900 hours.  Realising the grave situation, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid who was commander of a RCL gun detachment moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire.  Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames.  By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine-gun and high explosive fire.  Undeterred, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun.  While doing so, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell.

Havildar 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 for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

As you go about your day today, please take a minute to remember CQMH Abdul Hamid and his supreme sacrifice…and please spare a thought for these “Bravest of the Braves”.

Related Posts: The series on “National Heroes” and other “Param Veers”.