Sub Karam Singh – The First Non-Posthumous Param Vir Chakra Awardee

Hello aspirants,

In these series of post, we are discussing all the Bravehearts of our nation who didn’t deter an inch from sacrificing their life for the safety of our country. Through this post, we are spreading awareness and giving a tribute to all the men who had nerves of steel.

So let's begin

1. Background of Sub Singh
   

• Karam Singh was born on 15 September 1915 in the village of Sehna, Barnala district, in Punjab, British India.
• Singh also intended to become a farmer like his father, but he decided to join the army after being inspired by the stories of World War I veterans from his village.
• After completing his primary schooling in his village, in 1941, he joined the Army.

2. Military Life

• On 15 September 1941, he enrolled in the 1st battalion of the Sikh Regiment.
• His conduct and courage in the Battle of the Admin Box during the Burma Campaign of World War II made him an awardee of the Military Medal.
• As a young, war-decorated sepoy, he earned respect from fellow soldiers in his battalion, and everyone took him in high esteem.

3. Preface- war of 1947

• After the independence of India in 1947, India and Pakistan fought over the princely state of Kashmir for a brief period.
• During the initial stages of the conflict, Pakistan's Pashtun tribal militias crossed the border of the state, occupying several villages, including Tithwal.
• That village, being on the Line of Control in the Kupwara Sector, was a strategically important point for India.
• On 23 May 1948, the Indian Army captured Tithwal from Pakistani troops, but the Pakistanis quickly launched a counter-attack to recapture the area.
• The Indian troops, unable to withstand the attack, withdrew from their positions to the Tithwal ridge, preparing to regain their position.
• Pakistanis grew desperate and launched a massive attack on 13 October, hoping to drive the Indians from their positions.
• Their primary objective was to capture the Richhmar Gali, located south of Tithwal, and the Nastachur Pass, east of Tithwal.

4. Tale of Bravery

• During the fierce battle on the night of 13 October at Richmar Gali, Lance Naik Singh was commanding a 1 SIKH forward post.
• Indian troops were outnumbered ten-to-one by the Pakistani forces; the Sikhs repelled their attacks multiple times.
• Ammunition was running out, Singh ordered his men to join the leading company, knowing that reinforcement was impossible under Pakistani shelling. With the help of another soldier, he brought two injured men along, though he was wounded.
• Under the heavy Pakistani fire, Singh moved from position to position, boosting the morale of his men and intermittently throwing grenades. Despite being wounded twice, he refused evacuation and continued to hold the first line of trenches.
• During the fifth wave of attacks, two Pakistani soldiers closed on Singh's position; Singh jumped out of his trench and killed them with his bayonet, much demoralising the Pakistanis. The Pakistani troops finally retreated, unable to capture their position.

5. Legacy

• On 21 June 1950, Singh's award of the Param Vir Chakra.
• Singh later rose to the rank of subedar and was conferred the status of honorary captain before his retirement in September 1969.
• Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh PVC, MM (15 September 1915 – 20 January 1993), an Indian soldier, was the first living recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest award for gallantry.
• He was one of the five soldiers selected by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to raise the Indian flag for the first time after independence in 1947.
• Singh later rose to the rank of subedar and was conferred the status of honorary captain before his retirement in September 1969.
• Singh's statue is erected at Param Yodha Sthal, National War Memorial, New Delhi.

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Jai Hind