Bala Ram Khairwa

Biography

Grenadier Bala Ram Khairwa hailed from Posana village in Udaipurwati tehsil of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. Son of Shri Jeeta Ram Khairwa and Smt Keshar Devi, he joined the Army on 27 November 1962 after completing his school education. He was recruited into 2 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its brave soldiers and a rich history of battle honours. Over the years he grew into a tough, dedicated and professionally competent soldier, and by 1967 he had completed around five years of service. In September 1967, his unit was deployed in East Sikkim near the Nathu La Pass, a strategically vital point on the watershed forming the natural boundary between Sikkim and China's Tibet Autonomous Region. When India began fencing the border in August 1967, tensions with Chinese forces rose sharply. Amid repeated confrontations, the fencing work was ordered to be completed by 11 September 1967. As army engineers laid the wire obstacle, the 2 Grenadiers battalion, along with the 18 Rajput battalion, was detailed as their protection party. Captain Prithvi Singh Dagar of 2 Grenadiers led the team ordered to strengthen the wire-laying party opposite the 'South Shoulder' at Nathu La, and Grenadier Bala Ram was part of this team. As the wire was being laid, a scuffle broke out and the Chinese soldiers opened fire from the front and both flanks. Captain Dagar was struck in the right hand but continued to lead the counter-attack from the front. Grenadier Bala Ram and his comrades fought valiantly and gave a befitting reply to the enemy. During the fierce engagement he was severely wounded and was soon martyred, laying down his life in the service of the nation.