India had still not recovered from the effect of the
1962 War, when Pakistan invaded the country from the west, armed with modern American weaponry. This war was fought mainly in the plains of the Punjab and the hills of J&K. All the Pakistani aims for the war were crushed by Indian doggedness. The modern American weapons, like the Patton tanks, were of no use when the people manning them were poorly trained.
Captain Chander Narain Singh
A Garhwali Rajput, the captain led a patrol of men in the hills of Poonch, J&K, against a fortified Pakistani position. Fighting through the day against heavy MMG fire, Chander Narain Singh silenced two of the Pakistani guns. He commenced his final attack at night leading his small band of men to charge up the hill and destroy the post, capturing large quantities of arms and ammunition. Captain Singh fell to a burst of machine gun fire and was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
Lieutenant Colonel Raghubir Singh
A Kachhwaha Rajput from Jaipur, Lt Col Raghubir Singh and his infantry battalion of the Rajputana Rifles during the tank battle of Asal Uttar in Punjab. Their positions were overrun by enemy tanks, but the brave Rajpoot hero boldly left his own HQ, charged through the dust and established contact with his men in forward positions. Inspired by the courage and boldness of their CO, the Rajputana Rifles battalion destroyed 20 enemy tanks, and Raghubir Singh was awarded the Mahavir Chakra.
Major Jaivir Singh
A Rajpoot from Uttar Pradesh, Jaivir Singh commanded Sikh troops in the plains of Chhamb, J&K, during the 1965 war. Beating back several Pakistani attacks, Major Jaivir singh was awarded the MVC for his exemplary leadership and courage.
India boldly takes on China
During their 1965 War with Pakistan, the Indians also had to keep an eye on the mountainous frontier with China. Tensions flared up again in 1967 with Chinese incursions.
A Rajpoot officer from Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Mahatam Singh led a battalion of JAK Rifles to the Cho La area, which had been occupied by the Chinese. Mahatam Singh led his troops in an arduous march and restored the situation almost instantaneously, pushing the Chinese out. Throughout, the Rajput war hero displayed exemplary courage, leadership and devotion to duty, and was awarded the MVC.
