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 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.

Patton Nagar

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”.

B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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22 Responses

  1. Jai Joshi says:

    Wow, what a selfless act of bravery. Thank you, Shantanu, for doing this series that highlights some of our heros of India.

    Jai

  2. Naresh Khanna says:

    Doesn’t it make you all think about the wretched, cowardly. corrupt anti-national congi regime which has wasted such precious lives of our brave men for nothing.? Just shouting slogans like “Bharat mata ki jai’ etc is not patriotism enough, We need a “regime change”. replaced by nationalists who breath welfare of our nation at every step. Let’s put an end to ghandi dynasty & not vote for treacherous parties anymore and be swayed by their fake promises & lies during election times.

  3. Gopalakrishnan Raman says:

    I pay my tribute to this valient Soldier

  4. Pramod says:

    Great. A Muslim who new what is to be done & we have Kalmadi disgrace to IAF bring shame to country

  5. I remember the story we had in our educational book about Abdul Hamid and his heroics.
    I salute CQMH Abdul Hamid for his extra ordinary showcase of bravery for Bharat.

    Jai Jawan.

    Jai Bharat!

  6. Sid says:

    It is a pity that people like Hamid do not come from their community any more.

  7. B Shantanu says:

    Jai, Naresh, Gopalkrishnan, Pramod and Sandeep: Thanks for joining me in the tribute…

    @Naresh: You are right…we do need a “regime change” and it is very unlikely to come from the established parties…

  8. Azad says:

    My salutes to the brave soldiers and mrtyrs from Indian Army who have time and again saved us from peril.
    We need to look after their families in a better way. Even today the armed forces are not paid at par with other bureaucrats or corporates. It is a pity that we have overlooked their plea time and again so much so that recently more than 3000 ex-servicemen returned their medals.

    JAI HIND

  9. ABHAY TIWARI says:

    no words to say!!!!!!!! simply great….

    there cant be any measurement to measure the bravery and sacrifice of this great son of this great nation….. JAI HIND!!!

  10. cricfan says:

    Salute Abdul Hamid and his ultimate sacrifice.

    Yesterday, Nov 16, was the anniversary of the 1962 battle of Chusul and Maj. Shaitan Singh and his band of fighting Kumaonis. This is among the most incredible and amazing battle stories in all of history (world, not just Indian) fought against all odds, and it is BEYOND shocking that this is not mentioned much in our schools.

    http://rajeev2004.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-memoriam-last-stand-of-13th-kumaon.html

    it would be great to revisit the true legend of Shaitan Singh, PVC this week.

  11. cricfan says:

    Moderator, thank you! Rajeev sheds some more light on the impact of the battle on the 1962 war itself. This is yet another reason, why this battle at Rezang La is so very important, historically, as mentioned in this para.

    ” … All 114 men were killed or wounded. But they succeeded in blunting the Chinese assault, killing as many as a thousand Chinese in the process at Rezang La and at nearby Gurung Hill. Thereafter, the Chinese did not push further towards the Chushul plain. It was a critical checkpoint on a potential Chinese advance on Leh”

    The unbelievable resistance encountered by the Chinese here discouraged their ambitions very, very quickly and this probably changed the time-table as well as the end-result of the ’62 war. To put this in perspective, if the Indians had chosen to surrender, lets say, after 75% casualties, they would have still been truly great heroes with their regiment’s honor intact, and this would have still be an incredible effort. But for every one of them to have such single-minded unity of purpose in fighting the invaders off is mind-boggling, and this must have made a *serious* impact.

    Add to this the fact that they were fighting for a pluralistic, democratic, and a free and peaceful ‘panchseel’ India, and not for imperialistic powers as self-righteous mercenaries, nor as crazed zombie killers for expectation of some personal pleasure in some after-world. There is a lesson here, in my personal opinion. That there is an unbreakable, almost divine power that can be derived if one is fighting against violence for a noble and selfless cause.

  12. Ex ac vijayram bainsla ADSO says:

    We are here, because, they were there for us. Ek dilwaala hi samajh sakta hai ki why a soldier lays his life for a handful of khaak e watan? ye Dimaag waale, monymaker netaji , kya samajhenge?Let them think about commission(dalaali),power,politics , compromises,negotiation and opportunities.let’s do our duty undeterred .Jai Hind.

  13. Ex ac vijayram bainsla ADSO says:

    Recently went to okhla rly.station.saw mamy stones,names of veer chakra vijetas on them.disfigured by poor white wash and a lotof dirt on them(its every where in india).in booking hal.i was emotional.i was able to clean only one stone as my train came.jai jawaan jai kisan…my bloody….. Soldies r in the heart of every Hindustani,but for Indians we r fuck and forget ..use and throw types.so what if indian cross breeds dont need us now,but remember dear fellows.Hindustan salutes soldiers.dosto ! !.soldiers never die,.they just fade away…but stop these monuments and laying of stones.please.Cqm Hav Abdul hamid and major shaitan singh hate all this nonsense..jai Hind.

  14. Prakash says:

    Salute to Great Son of Bharat Mata..Because of sacrifices like these, India is integrated today..

  15. Kailash says:

    I am short of words of such supreme courage and sacrifice.

    Wish could do something for family of such a brave man

    Kailash

  16. Jai Hind says:

    Jab tak sooraj chand rahega,
    Hamid tera naam rahega…………..

  17. Kailash Tekchandani says:

    I do not have enough words to express my feelings and gratitude to
    great hero of Country.

    What Abdul Hamid did was ultimate sacrifice for people like me and you whom probably he had never seen or met.

    I wish as a nation we should have learnt difference between heroes and Entertainers (i.e actors, cricketers)

  18. Radhakrishnan says:

    The story that will choke all Indians with emotions and pride, a story that will make us all proud to be Indians. The greatest soldier in the history of India, along with the likes of Gulam Ghouse Khan (the gunner in Jhansi Rani’s army). Are we worthy to be the successors to this great son of India?

    The politicians bicker in Parliament over their pensions or kickbacks from buying coffins for the soldiers!

    Abdul Hamid will inspire generations and generations to come. India belongs to every one, not just the Hindus.

  1. September 9, 2015

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