Rang apne lahu ka tujhe deke hum,
Marte bhi gaye, kehte bhi gaye, aazadi ke parvane
Ki jeena to usi ka jeena hai jo marna watan pe jane
October 27, 1947. Hardly 2 months had passed since Indian Independence. India was still recovering from the shock of partition and was not even united. There were many princely states in the country that did not consider themselves part of Indian republic. One such state was Kashmir. And it was on Kashmir that Pakistani forces marched in claiming they needed to supress the rebellion on southeast Kashmir.
Kashmir’s King Hari Singh was quick to react and signed the Instrument of Accession with India, meaning that Kashmir was now a part of India. Thus began the first war between India and Pakistan. The war was fought in several stages which started by Pakistan offensive followed by Indian counter-attack and ended with UN intervention.
Initially, Pakistani forces easily defeated Kashmir’s state force and took over several border cities including Muzzafarabad. But instead of advancing towards Srinagar, they remained in those cities to loot. This gave time to Indian forces to reassemble and launch a counter attack.
Over the next few months, Indian forces launched a series of operations to get back several major cities including Kargil. However, Pakistan had a stronghold in Poonch, Mirpur and Gilgit and these areas were under their siege. Though Indian forces were able to recapture some cities like Jhanger, Baramula and Uri, they failed in capturing Poonch and Gilgit despite several attempts. By 1948, the Indian forces started getting upper hand in the war. Poonch was relieved after more than a year and Gilgit forces were defeated. Indians were advancing in every place of the valley and recaptured Dras sector as well. The victory of Indian forces was looking almost certain.
However, at this time Pt Nehru thought to approach UN and the war ended more than 14 months after it began when on 1st January 1949 UN imposed cease fire. The consequence of the UN intervention was that we lost about 2/5 of total Kashmir. This area is still under Pakistan and known as POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir).
War Heroes: The first war of independent India saw some great acts of courage and sacrifice. A total of 1500 soldiers lost their lives protecting our motherland. For bravery and selfless service, 5 soldiers and officers were awarded the highest gallantry awards.
Major Som Nath Sharma: Major Som Nath Sharma was the first recipient of Param Veer Chakra. Major Sharma was born on 31st January 1923 (the year Bhagat Singh died) in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He came from army family and his father was an army officer as were his two brothers and sister. As such serving the nation was in his blood.
Major Sharma’s company was one of the first Indian company to attack the enemy. He was airlifted to Srinagar on 31st October, 1947. Even though he was injured in a hockey match, he didn’t left the command and leaded his company with one hand in plaster cast. On 3rd November 1947, his company was ordered on a patrol to Badgam village in Kashmir. As they reached Badgam, they were surrounded by around 700 enemy soldiers from three sides.
Heavily outnumbered, Major Sharma knew the gravity of situation. Losing the post would have made Srinagar vulnerable. So he encouraged his company to fight bravely. But as they were outnumbered seven to one, his company was facing much casualty. This had affected his company’s light automatics’ efficiency. Realizing this, he personally took the responsibility of filling up the magazines of LMGs (Light Machine Guns) with one hand. He also laid down air strips to guide aircrafts on targets, exposing himself to heavy fire.
During the operation, a mortar shell blasted on company’s ammunitions and Major Sharma was killed from the explosion. His last message to Head Quarters was "The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round." By the time reinforcement reached Badgam, his post was overrun. However, due to many casualties the enemy could not advance to Srinagar. Thus, the sacrifice of Major Sharma and his company saved Srinagar from falling.
Naik Jadu Nath Singh: Naik Jadu Nath Singh was born in on November 21, 1918 in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was commissioned in 1st Battalion Rajput Segment.
In the early stages of war, Pakistan had captured Jhangar, Poonch and Mirpur districts. They were in advantageous position and planned to attack Naushera section which was of critical strategic importance. Naik Jadu Nath’s battalion was stationed in Naushera. The expected attack came on 6th February 1948.
Naik Jadu Nath’s post was in front and had just 9 men. The enemy attacked in waves and his post had to face the full brunt. The first wave swept up to the post with ferocity. Displaying great valour and courage and under his leadership, his men fought so bravely that enemy ran away in utter confusion. Soon after, a second wave of enemy attacked his post. This was greater than the previous one. Even though the enemy came very close to his post, he and his men again showed extraordinary courage and fought bravely forcing the enemy to retreat. However, by then all the others of his post were casualties. He was left alone and wounded. But this didn’t deter his determination. When the enemy attacked his post third time, he took a sten gun and came out of the post to attack the advancing enemy. The enemy was completely taken by surprise by this magnificent display of courage and fled again. Naik Jadu Nath however was shot on head and chest and laid his life. The enemy didn’t attack his post again and thus he almost single-handedly saved Naushera.
He received highest gallantry award for his sacrifice. A sports stadium is named after him in his birth place Shahjahanpur.
Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane: Second Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane was born on 26th June 1918 in Karwar, Karnataka. He was commissioned in Corps of Engineers on 15th December 1947.
On March 18 1948, Indian army recaptured Jhangar and oreoared to advance towards Rajauri. However, this highway was destroyed by enemy and many obstacles and mines were laid on the way. Second Lt. Rama Rane was given the task to clear the roads to facilitate army’s advance.
As the section started clearing road mines on 8th April, two sappers were killed. Five others including Second Lt. Rane were wounded. However, this didn’t deter them. Even undr heavy enemy fire, they continued working till 10:00 pm that night. On 9th April, he started working at 6:00 am and worked continuously till the diversion for tanks was ready. He continued clearing roads that day till evening and helped in movement of tank column. On 10th April, he started at 4:45 am. Till now army had made significant movement due to his efforts. The next thousand yards was a mass of roadblocks and blasted embankments. Also, this passage was heavily covered by enemy machine gun fire. Displaying tremendous courage, Second Lt. Rane moved forward between fires and started clearing the passage. He worked continuously till 9:00 pm and cleared a major portion of road. He didn’t stopped even on next day and worked more than 17 hours on 11th April to clear the final roadblocks and open the roads to Chingas. Thus, Second Lt. Rama Rane played a vital role in the advance of army and recapturing of Chingas and Rajouri.
Due to his selfless service and grim determination, he was awarded Param Veer Chakra after the war. He retired from army in 1968 as Major and received five Mention in Dispatches during his 21 years of service.
Company Havildar Major Piru Singh: Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was born in Village Rampura Beri, Rajasthan on 20th may 1918. He was inducted into the British Indian Army in 1936.
On 18th July 198, his section was given the task to recapture a hill from enemy. The enemy was at the top of hill and highly advantageous position. He and his section were facing heavy grenade attacks from the top. This resulted in heavy casualty and more than half of his section was wounded or killed. But he didn’t lose courage. With battle cries, he encouraged others to fight and rushed towards the nearest MMG (Medium Machine Gun). Though wounded by grenade, he cleared this MMG with his sten gun fire. By now he realized that he was lone survivor of his section. He was again wounded by another grenade. But with no regard for personal safety he jumped towards next enemy position and cleared that. As he was charging the third bunker, he was shot in head and laid his life. But he made a final blow to the enemy by hurling a grenade which cleared this bunker as well.
Due to his singular act of bravery and courage he was awarded the highest gallantry award after war.
Lance Naik Karam Singh MM (Military Medal): Lance Naik Karam Singh was born on 15th September 1915 in Barnala, Punjab. He was the fifth Indian to receive Param Veer Chakra.
Tithwal was recaptured by army on 23rd May 1948. The enemy made numerous attempts to recapture the city. On such attack was made on 13th October 1948 when an enemy brigade attacked Richmar Gali to retake Tithwal. Lance naik Karam Singh was commanding a section at Richmar Gali. The enemy attacked by mortar shelling on the bunkers which resulted in communication cut from the command. Also, several bunkers were destroyed. But Lance Naik encouraged his men to fight and continued fighting bravely himself. The enemy launched eight separate attacks that day and succeeded In making a foothold close to his bunker. Even though severely wounded, with no regard for personal safety, he jumped out of the bunker and attacked enemy with a bayonet. This demoralized the enemy and they broke the attack.
Lance Naik Karam Singh died on 20th January 1993, aged 77.