Harjit Singh

Biography

Captain Harjit Singh hailed from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 14 November 1943. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 10 Mahar battalion of the Mahar Regiment, an infantry regiment with a rich history of gallantry and battle exploits. In the very early part of his service career he was drawn into field operations as his unit deployed on the western border amid the gathering war clouds of 1965. During September 1965, 10 Mahar was deployed along the Jammu (RS Pura)–Sialkot border. After the failure of Pakistan's 'Operation Gibraltar' and the invasion of Chhamb on 1 September, the Indian forces mounted an aggressive response, and 10 Mahar was tasked to advance into Pakistan and attack the villages of Muhadipur and Rang Pur Jattan in the Sialkot sector. Serving as the battalion's Intelligence Officer, Captain Harjit Singh gathered vital information on enemy dispositions critical to planning a successful assault. On the night of 21 September 1965 the battalion marched into Pakistan in single-line formation, endured heavy artillery shelling, and took up positions in the deserted villages alongside a detachment of tanks. Just a day before the declaration of ceasefire, on 22 September 1965, Pakistan launched a well-planned counter-attack supported by artillery and armour. Captain Harjit Singh swiftly assessed the gravity of the situation and set about coordinating the battalion's detachments for an effective response, directing and inspiring his troops without regard for his own safety. The battalion succeeded in beating back the counter-attack, but while directing operations he was struck by an RPG round and seriously wounded, later succumbing to his injuries at the age of 22. For his dauntless courage, fighting spirit, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Mention-in-Despatches.