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| Major Hoshiyar Singh |
Early life
Sisana, his birth place, is a big village on Rohtak - Sonipat road, about 25 km from Sonipat. This Jat dominated village has produced more than 250 soldiers for the Indian Army. His father was a respectable farmer and his mother Smt. Mathuri Devi, a kind-hearted housewife. Col Hoshiar Singh got married to Smt Dhanno when he was still studying in the 7th class. This illustrious couple has three sons.
Joined Indian Army
After his schooling and one year's study at the Jat College, Rohtak, he joined the Indian Army as a soldier. He was commissioned as an officer in the Grenadiers Regiment on 30 June 1963. His first assignment as an officer was in NEFA. In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he saw some action in the Rajasthan sector. In the Indo-Pak war of 1971 (then a Major), he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra on 17 December, 1971.
Colonel Hoshiar Singh was a man of simple habits. The great secret of his remarkable success had been a close rapport with his men. He grew with his company and being in the same battalion for a long period helped him establish close ties with the men under his command.
India-Pak war 1971
The 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment was in the forefront of the advance of 54 Inf. Div. in Shakargarh sector on the western front on the night of December 5th. The 3 Grenadiers, under the dynamic command of Lt Col V P Airy, made quick gains in the first ten days of the war. On December 15th, it was assigned the task of establishing a bridge-head across the Basantar river. The river was covered with deep minefields on both sides and protected by well fortified defense by the enemy. Major Hoshiar Singh, Commander of 'C' (left forward) Company, launched an attack across the enemy minefield on Jarpal. As it was a well fortified enemy position, the company came under intense shelling and crossfire from medium machine guns and suffered heavy casualties.
The 3 Grenadiers bravely continued the assault and achieved the set objective. The enemy bunkers were cleared only after fierce hand-to-hand fighting. Pakistanis reacted to the loss of Jarpal by launching counter attacks, two of them supported by armour, to dislodge the 3 Grenadiers on December 16th. Major Singh, unmindful of the enemy shelling and tank fire, went from trench to trench, encouraging his men to remain steadfast and continue fight. Inspired by his courage and leadership, his company repulsed all attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. On December 17th, the enemy mounted yet another attack in battalion strength with heavy artillery in support. Though wounded seriously in enemy shelling, Major Singh again went alone from trench to trench, at times moving in the open too. When an enemy shell landed near his medium machine gun post, injuring the crew, Major Hoshiar Singh rushed to the enemy machine gun pit and operated the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.
Param Vir Chakra
Pakistanis beat a hasty retreat leaving behind 85 dead, including their Commanding Officer - Lt Colonel Mohammed Akram Raja and three other officers. Throughout this operation, Major Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry, grim determination and indomitable spirit. With grit, courage and complete disregard to his personal safety he inspired his command to perform outstanding acts of gallantry and defeated repeated enemy attempts to recapture the locality. The steadfastness and dauntless courage displayed by Major Hoshiar Singh were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army, and his refusal to be evacuated despite his serious wounds was an act beyond the call of duty. He was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal of India, the Param Vir Chakra.
Colonel (Retd) Hoshiar Singh, PVC passed away on 6th December, 1998. Click here to go to Bharat Rakshak bio of Colonel Hoshiar Singh.
A newspaper article on Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Param Vir Chakra. Source - Major Hoshiyar Singh Facebook Page
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