Our nation has witnessed a total of 21 winners of Param Vir Chakra (PVC). This felicitation has been given to men of steel who have gone out of their way to ensure that our country stays secure and protected. They have done some acts of selfless and supreme bravery, which is why they have won the biggest wartime gallantry award of the country. Having said that, how well do we know these brave individuals?
Let’s check out exactly what they did to win the highest honor of this country!
1. Maj. Somnath Sharma
Maj. Somnath Sharma staved off the enemy with a broken arm that was attacking him and his team in Srinagar and on Badgam aerodrome. He personally filled magazines as well as issued them all to the light machine gunners. He lived an inspiring life and even after his death, his fellow soldiers were inspired to fight the enemy and emerge winners.
2. Naik Jadunath Singh
Naik Jadunath Singh commanded a forward post at the time of the enemy’s attack. Naik and his team suffered heavy losses due to the attack. However, eventually, Singh could somehow save all his troops, even though he fell to the enemy’s bullets. He fought bravely against the enemy and his strength even with all odds stacked against him is commendable.
Related article: Story of Baba Harbhajan Singh Foji
3. 2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane
Rama Raghoba Rane cleared mines as well as roadblocks and braved machine gun fires as he laid out a path for the tank. Despite being severely wounded, his diligence was beyond measure, and he facilitated the steady advance on Rajouri. Furthermore, he also drove a tank to a roadblock, crouched under it and then cleared all the mines.
4. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh
Major Piru Singh occupied an enemy post single-handedly and attacked an enemy just when a grenade suddenly hit him. Still, he lobbed grenades and destroyed at least one more bunker before he succumbed to death.
5. Lance Naik Karam Singh
Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a post when eight strikes were launched at him by the enemy. Even though the Sikhs managed to repulse each wave, Karam Singh was severely wounded. Also, when he saw two enemy soldiers coming in too close, he stabbed the intruders to a quick death.
6. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria
Captain Salaria was a part of the UN Force. During that time, his Gorkhas or Nepali troops charged a roadblock, assassinating 40 soldiers and knocking out at least two enemy cars. While the rest of the enemy soldiers fled, Salaria died due to heavy bullet wounds.
Related article: Story of Captain Vikram Batra
7. Major Dhan Singh Thapa
Major Thapa was posted in Ladakh when he came under the Chinese attack. Before being overpowered by the enemy, he killed several enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. People presumed him dead until it became known that he had been taken as a Prisoner of War (PoW). However, the major was freed later.
8. Subedar Joginder Singh
Joginder Singh held a position in the Tongpeng La area. There, he faced repeated attacks by Chinese soldiers. He also refused evacuation despite being wounded in the thigh. In addition to that, he also manned a light machine gun as well as killed a significant number of Chinese enemies. However, Singh finally died after defeating the enemy.
9. Major Shaitan Singh
Major Shaitan Singh and his men faced a heavy Chinese attack when they were holding a key position. Even though he was hurt and could have used some help from his fellow soldiers, he ordered them all to leave. He was placed behind a boulder by his men where he finally succumbed to his injuries.
10. Lt. Col. A B Tarapore
Lt. Col. A B Tarapore was directed to capture Phillora and deliver the armored thrust. He was at the helm of the 1965 Indo-Pak war and fought bravely. Moreover, he also led an assault on Butur-Dograndi and Jassoran. However, during the war, he was mortally wounded.
Related article: Facts About Abdul Hamid – Hero Of 1965 War
Final Words
All these men died bravely fighting for their country and successfully carried out some major attacks and assaults on the enemies. This is why they were honored with the highest tribute to recognize their contributions towards making our country safer and protected.
