Wednesday Blues

Friends, do you know who were Jaswant Singh, Abdul Hamid,  and Keeler Brothers ? Now if I tell you all of them were from the armed forces and they were  the unsung heroes of the two wars which  India fought in 60s, in 1962  with  China and in 1965 with Pakistan. In my today’s blog, will brief you about them.

Unsung Heroes of the Armed Forces- India fought two wars during 60s , first with China in 1962 and second with Pakistan in 1965.

a.Rifleman Jaswant Singh-

He was serving with Garwal Rifles. On 17 Nov 1962, the battalion was continuously fired upon by a Chinese Medium Machine Gun (MMG) located at vintage point. Jaswant Singh along with Lance Naik Trilok Singh & Rifleman Gopal Singh went after this MMG and when they were about 12 meters from MMG, started throwing Grenades at Chinese bunker, killing no. of Chinese Soldiers and Captured MMG. When they were returning to safety with MMG Jaswant and Trilok were fatally hit by Chinese automatic fire. Gopal got injured but he managed to get the MMG into the Indian post. This event turned the course of the battle at that location and Chinese troop retreated leaving behind about 300 dead.

There is another version of this story of Jaswant Singh

Due to heavy firing by Chinese troops, Jaswant Singh and his company were ordered to vacate the post, but Jaswant Singh remained at post and held back the Chinese troop for three days single handedly. It is assumed that he shot himself when he was about to be captured. It is alleged that Chinese cut off his head and took it back. However after the war ended the Chinese Commander impressed by his bravery returned the head with a brass bust made in China The bust is now installed at the site of Battle and that area is now known as Jaswant Garh. It is fact that he alone killed more than 300 Chinese soldiers. It is said that he was  assisted by two local girls Nura & Sella. The pass of that area is now known as Sella pass, and highway is named after Nura.

He was awarded Mahavir Chakra(Posthumous).

b.Abdul Hamid–

He fought in 62 war with China in North East Frontier Province. When Pakistan attacked India in 1965, his company 4 Geranadiers were asked to move forward with 106 RCL  Guns in Khem Karan sector in border area.

On 8^th Sept 1965, Hamid was sitting in his Jeep loaded with RCL gun, he saw Pakistani tanks approaching. Taking position behind tall crops, he waits  for tanks to come near, as the tank came  within 30 meters, Abdul Hamid asks his loader to load the gun and shoot, the shot hit the tank and it started burning. The crew of following two tanks started running.  After 2 hours he sighted 3 more tanks. He positioned his jeep in the field of high crops, the moment first tank comes within shooting distance Hamid fires a a shot and the tank is destroyed, and remaining two tanks are abandoned by Pakistanis. By the end of the day Hamid has destroyed two tanks and four tanks are abandon.

He destroys two more tanks on 9^th Sept . The battalion also faces heavy shelling from Pakistani Jet Fighters.

On 10^th Sept the battalion comes under heavy shelling from enemy. Hamid  hiding in fields manages to destroy one more tank. Then they move to another location and shoot one more tank. By this time enemy tanks have located his jeep, another tank  rushes towards his jeep, Hamid has no time to move as he has been spotted. Both Tank and RCL Gun shoot simultaneously, and both hit their targets. Hamid dies. He had totally blown 7 tanks of enemy.

For his remarkable act of bravery, he was awarded the armed forces highest honour Param Vir Chakra(Posthumushly)

c.Keeler Brothers-       (1965 war with Pakistan)

Trevor Keeler        Denzil Keeler

Both brothers Denzil & Trevor were based at Ambala Air Force Station, when they came to know about Indian Army has requested support from Indian Air Force. Their squadron was asked to move towards front area immediately in J & K. The Indian Air Force sent Squadron 45’s de Havilland Vampires to support the  army

Battle began very badly and on 1^st Sept Pakistani Sabre Jets shot down 3 Indian vampire aircraft. Pakistani were jubilant. On 3^rd Sept Indian radars picked by Pakistani Sabre jet movements in Chhamb area, and immediately. This Indian Air Force were ready for fight, they assembled 2 sections of 4 Gnats each, one section led by Trevor Keeler. One  decoy aircraft was sent before Gnats, and Pakistani took the bait and rushed to intercept. Trevor got behind one of the enemy jet and shot it down, “this was our first blood” said Trevor afterwards. He became an instant hero. At first opportunity his elder brother Denzil called him said ”Well Done Bro”

The very next morning one more Sabre was shot down, this was done by Fl Lt Cooke,

Then on 19^th Sept Denzil was called to escort fighter bombers near Sialkot. In the afternoon they took it off in formation. Denzil could locate area where  ground fighting was taking place, he saw many tanks rushing towards Indian Army. At the same time he sighted four Sabre Jets of enemy. A fierce air battle took place, soon Denzil found himself above the Sabre. He fired at sabre and shot it down. When he  was about to land , one tyre of the aircraft he was flying was deflated after being hit by army firing. Any how he managed to land safely. Now it was Trevor’s turn to call his elder brother and say “Well done Bro”

Both the brothers were awarded Vir Chakra for their individual bravery.

So friends, how do you find this post of mine.

Awaiting your views/comments/feed backs.