Saluting our Heroes: Maj Hoshiar Singh, PVC

On the occassion of India’s 61st Republic Day, please read and share the extraordinary story of Major Hoshiar Singh – a “Param Vir” who displayed exemplary valour and risked his life so that we may live in peace.  Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

For those who may be reading this series for the first time, 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 – Maj Hoshiar Singh, PVC ***

Early December 1971, Shakargarh Sector:  The war that began with outbreak of hostilities in Dacca between Paksitani armed forces and Bangladeshi resistance in March 1971 is in its final decisive stage. Pakistan has decided to pre-emptively attack India (3rd December) and opened the western front to divert Indian forces from the eastern border. The “Shakargarh bulge” is one of the key locations on the western front. The area links Punjab with Jammu & Kashmir and is close to the border with Pakistan. Securing the region is critical for India as Pakistan can easily launch an invasion from the base at nearby Sialkot potentially cutting off Jammu & Kashmir from the rest of India.

As this article notes:

Invading Shakargarh bulge (is)…one of the most crucial components of Pakistan’s war strategy in the western sector….by occupying the bulge, the main link between Indian Army positions in Kashmir and Pathankot would be cut-off, following which, it (Pakistan) could easily invade Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani military forces stationed in Sialkot base would keep Pathankot at bay, thwarting any Indian attempts to recapture Shakargarh.

After days of intense fighting, the battle appears to be turning into a stalemate. Pakistan is desperate to seek control of the area…and is ready to deploy even more fire-power in a last-ditch attempt to seize the bulge.

As fighting spills into the second week of December, the 3rd Grenadiers – who are spearheading the 54th Infantry’s advance – are ordered to establish a bridge-head across Basantar river, a key location in securing control over the area . The area is fully land-mined and the troops will therefore have to proceed with great caution.

The regimental pivot at Jarpal is one of the key targets. Major Hoshiar Singh is the commander of ‘C’ Company, part of the operations across the enemy minefield. His men succeed in capturing the objective in spite of intense shelling and crossfire from enemy machine guns.  The troops suffer heavy casualties but the worst is yet to come.

The very next day – on December 16th – Pakistani troops launch a fierce counter-assault to recapture their positions. Their troops are heavily backed and supported by armour.

But the men of 4 Grenadiers, led by Major Hoshiar Singh are not going to give up. Unmindful of the heavy shelling and tank fire Major Singh personally moves from trench to trench encouraging his men and keeping their morale up. His inspired troops repulse the counter-attack and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. On December 17th, the Pakistani army makes another desperate attempt to regain lost ground – again backed by heavy artillery and troops.

Here is what happened next:

Though wounded seriously in enemy shelling, Major Singh again went alone from trench to trench, moving in the open. On one occasion an enemy shell landed near his medium machine gun post, injuring the crew and rendering the gun inoperative. Major Singh, realising the importance of fire support at this juncture, rushed to the machine gun pit and operated the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

The enemy attack was repulsed, and they beat a hasty retreat leaving behind 85 dead, including their Commanding Officer – Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Akram Raja and three other officers. Throughout this operation, Major Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, grim determination and indomitable spirit. His dogged resistance, complete disregard to his personal safety and cool courage so inspired his command that they performed outstanding acts of gallantry and defeated repeated enemy attempts to recapture the locality.

CITATION

Major Hoshiar Singh, 3 GRENADIERS (IC-14608)

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.  Major Hoshiar Singh was commanding the left forward company and he was ordered to capture the enemy locality of Jarpal.  This was a well-fortified position and was held in strength by the enemy.  During the assault, his company came under intense shelling and effective crossfire from enemy medium machine guns.  Undeterred, he led the charge and captured the objective after a fierce hand-to hand fight.  The enemy reacted and put in three counter attacks on 16 December 1971, two of them supported by armour, Major 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.  Inspired by his courage and dauntless leadership, his company repulsed all the attacks inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.  Again, on 17 December 1971 the enemy made another attack with a battalion supported by heavy artillery fire.  Though seriously wounded by enemy shelling, Major 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 it inoperative.  Major Hoshiar Singh, realizing the importance of machine-gun fire, immediately rushed to the machine-gun pit and though seriously wounded himself, manned the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.  The attack was successfully repulsed and the enemy retreated leaving behind 85 dead including their Commanding Officer and three other officers.  Though seriously wounded, Major Hoshiar Singh refused to be evacuated till the ceasefire.

Throughout this operation, Major Hoshiar Singh displayed most conspicuous gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and leadership in the highest traditions of the Army.

***

The Battle of Basantar is a proud chapter in the history of Indian Army. The “Shakargarh bulge” – key to Pakistan’s war strategy – was heroically defended by Indian troops. Not only that but the men managed to push the enemy troops back and came close to capturing Sialkot. This defeat is regarded by the “Pakistan Army…as their most humbling defeat, next only to the Battle of Longewala despite some numerical and qualitative superiority over the opposing force.”

The days of fierce fighting at Basantar led to two Param Vir Chakras – one to 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal (awarded posthumously) and another to Maj Hoshiar Singh.

The CO of 3 Grenadiers, Lt Col V P Airy and the CO of Deccan Horse, Brigadier (later General) A S Vaidya both received Maha Vir Chakras.

Earlier in the series:

Saluting our Heroes: Fg Off Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC

Saluting our Heroes: Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC

Saluting our Heroes: 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC

Saluting our Heroes: Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria, PVC

Saluting our Heroes: Maj Shaitan Singh, PVC

Saluting our Heroes: Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC