Udham Singh, VrC

Biography

Havildar Udham Singh hailed from Chaihadi village near Ghumarwin in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. After completing his schooling he joined the Army and was inducted into the 18 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry unit known for its valiant soldiers and many battle honours. During June 1999, his unit was deployed in the Drass sector during the Kargil War. The Tololing feature marked the deepest intrusion made by Pakistani forces in the sector, and by holding the heights of Hump, Point 5140, Point 4700 and the 'Three Pimples', the enemy had secured a route for maintaining its troops. The 18 Grenadiers were tasked to capture Hump and to support the 18 Garhwal Rifles in their attack on Point 5140, and Havildar Udham Singh became part of the team assigned to take Hump. On the night of 13/14 June 1999, he led his section's assault on Hump, neutralising enemy resistance en route. When his advance was halted by heavy automatic fire from a heavily fortified position, he decided to outflank the enemy. Ordering his men to keep the position engaged, he crawled forward with a small team and inched towards the enemy sangar to lob a grenade. Spotted by the enemy, he was hit and severely wounded, but without caring for his injuries he charged up to the sangar, hurled his grenade and fired into it, killing three enemy soldiers at close quarters before signalling his men to push ahead. He succumbed to his wounds in this action. His bold and courageous assault paved the way for the capture of Hump, which in turn facilitated the capture of the significant Point 5140. For his outstanding grit, determination, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, Havildar Udham Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra.