On Dec 3, the midnight cowardly strikes from Pakistan had marked the official start of the India-Pakistan War of 1971, which came to a closure with India’s historic victory over the enemy. While enemy troops attacked at several points along India's western border with Pakistan, the Indian Army successfully held their positions and on Dec 16, Pakistan finally conceded defeat. The war stripped Pakistan of more than half of its population with nearly one-third of its men in captivity. On one hand, India registered the victory in its name by exploiting the weakness in the enemy's positions forcing them to surrender, on the other, it lost its brave heroes who selflessly laid down their lives in the line of duty. The sons of the soil were awarded gallantry award Vir Chakra posthumously for displaying determination and leadership of a high order.

 

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On the night of the 7th Dec 1971, Major Hardev Singh Grewal was commanding a company of a Battalion of the Jat Regiment deployed in a defensive position in the Chhamb Sector. The enemy attacked this position thrice, supported by heavy artillery fire. He brought accurate artillery fire on the enemy and inspired his men to repulse attacks. In his third desperate bid, the enemy managed to get a foothold on one of his localities. He immediately launched a counter-attack and succeeded in restoring the situation, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. On the night of the 9th Dec 1971, the enemy again launched a number of concerted infantry and armour assaults. Moving in the open from man to man with utter disregard to his safety, he encouraged to the enemy. On the 10th Dec, 1971, though wounded in the thigh, he continued to direct the operation. He was again hit by an enemy machine-gun burst as a result of which he attained martyrdom.

 

In the action, Major Hardev Singh Grewal displayed gallantry, determination, and leadership of a high order for which he posthumously received Vir Chakra.

 

 

Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal was commanding a Company of a Battalion of the Punjab Regiment during the operations against Pakistan in the Western Sector. His battalion was ordered to capture the enemy position based on ‘Chak Amru’ Railway Station in the Shakargarh sector. Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal led the assault through a tactical minefield of 600 yards depth. Because of the swift assault led by him, the enemy was taken by surprise and was routed. During the reorganization, his company came under accurate and intense enemy Medium Machine Gun and Artillery fire. Major Jaswal despite heavy enemy small arms fire and shelling moved from trench to trench to encourage his men. While doing this, he was hit by an enemy Medium Machine Gun burst, as a result of which he attained martyrdom.

 

Throughout this action, Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal displayed gallantry, determination, and leadership of a high order for which he posthumously received Vir Chakra.

 

 

On the 10th Dec 1971, Hav Devendra Singh Kandari was the Platoon Havildar in a company of a Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment which was detailed for attacking the enemy in the Eastern Sector. While assaulting the objective his Platoon Commander was martyred and he took command of the platoon. On reaching the objective, enemy depth localities opened up with small arms fire from a very close range. With utter disregard to his personal safety, he got onto the enemy in their fortified bunkers and a hand to hand fight ensued. He snatched one light machine gun killing the gun detachment. In this process, he was seriously wounded in the stomach and succumbed to his injuries.

 

In this action, Havildar Devendra Singh Kandari displayed gallantry leadership and devotion to duty of a high order for which he posthumously received Vir Chakra.

 

 

Nb/Sub Sherin Wangdus of the Ladakh Scouts was commanding a platoon of the company assigned the task of capturing enemy held posts in an area in the Western Sector. On the 10th Dec 191, when due to heavy enemy medium machine gun and mortar fire, his company’s advance was held up, he along with two other personnel of his platoon assaulted the medium machine gun bunker, killed the entire crew and captured the medium machine gun.

 

In this action, Naib Subedar Sherin Wangdus displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order for which he posthumously received Vir Chakra.