New Delhi: Indian Army’s Bhimber Gali Brigade has commemorated Bhimber Gali Diwas to remember the gallant action of Capt Chander Narain Singh, who laid down his life while combating Pakistani infiltrators in Galuthi in Rajauri zone of Jammu & Kashmir on August 5, 1965.
Captain Singh, MVC, was a second generation soldier in uniform.
His father Honorary Captain Balwan Singh, a Himachali Dogra, served with the 4th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment during World War II and was decorated during the battle for ‘Magwe’ in Burma Campaign.
During August 1965, Captain Singh’s unit was deployed in the Galuthi areas in Jammu & Kashmir and was engaged in an intense fight with the enemy forces to capture and hold on to the strategically important ground features.
On August 5, 1965, his unit got information that some Pakistani soldiers had infiltrated in the area and were seen around the location of the Brigade Headquarters.
He dispatched his patrol team immediately in the evening at 1830 hours to carry out a search operation. Around at 1930 hours, an encounter with the Pakistani infiltrators commenced wherein Pakistanis started firing using the heavy & light machine guns, mortars, and grenades from a higher position.
He instructed his soldiers to keep firing and keep the enemy pinned down while he himself crawled towards one of the flanks to engage the enemy perched at advantageous position.
Further, Capt Singh led a daring charge with a handful men within the 50 yards of the enemy position.
In one rush they progressed halfway up and then paused to reorganize. While half of his patrol was engaged in cover fire, he led the other half to a flank attack on the enemy position, which was successful.
During the operation, a fierce fight took place wherein six enemy soldiers were killed and many more were wounded.
However, Captain Chander Narain Singh was hit by a Light Machine Gun burst and was martyred.
During this operation, he displayed conspicuous bravery, leadership and courage in the highest traditions of the Indian Army before laying down his life.
For his Gallant act of Bravery and unparalleled courage, Captain Chander Narain Singh was posthumously awarded India’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra”.
