Harbhajan Singh, MVC

Biography

Major Harbhajan Singh was born on 3 August 1941 in Bhatte Bhaini village of Patti tehsil, Tarn Taran district, Punjab. His father, Asa Singh, was a patriot and freedom fighter who had been deported from Shanghai for his active role in the Ghadar movement in the late 1920s. After primary schooling in his village, Harbhajan Singh completed his matriculation from DAV High School, Patti. Inspired by his father, he enrolled as a boy soldier at the Amritsar recruitment office in June 1956 at the age of fifteen and joined the Corps of Signals. Later commissioned as an officer, he was posted to the 18th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment on 30 June 1963, and by 1967 had been promoted to Major. During the Nathu La clashes of September 1967, 18 Rajput was deployed to protect army engineers erecting a wire obstacle along the border. On 11 September 1967, Chinese troops opened fire from the front and flank, trapping the Rajput company in the open. Major Harbhajan Singh charged the attackers, bayoneted three Chinese soldiers and silenced a light machine gun with a hand grenade. He was gravely wounded and laid down his life at the age of 26. For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.