Indian Defence Review

Lance Naik Karam Singh was born on 15 September 1915, in Barnala, Punjab. He was enrolled in 1 SIKH on 15 September 1941.

During the Jammu & Kashmir operations in the summer of 1948 the Indian Army made substantial gains in the Tithwal sector. This led to the capture of Tithwal of 23 May 1948. The enemy fled in utter confusion across the Kishanganga after dumping their arms and equipment in the river.

The Battle of Tithwal went on for months. The enemy could not, however, make a dent on the Indian defences. The re-capture of Tithwal, with Richmar Gali as a vital objective, became the Pakistan Army’s obsession. A reinforced Brigade, with artillery, was deployed to encircle the position.

On 13th October 1948, the Pakistan Army launched a desperate attack with a Brigade strength to evict the Indian Army from their strongly held positions. During this attack, some bitter fighting took place in the Richhmar Gali area. The attack commenced with heavy shelling of guns and mortar. The fire was so devastating that nearly all bunkers in the platoon area were damaged.

The man of the moment was Lance Naik Karam Singh who had earlier won the Military Medal in Burma. Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a forward outpost when the enemy launched the attack. The enemy in vastly superior strength attacked his post. The outpost was attacked eight times and the Sikhs repulsed the enemy every time. When ammunition ran short, Lance Naik Karam Singh joined the main company position, knowing fully well that due to the heavy enemy shelling no help would be forthcoming. Although wounded, he brought back two injured comrades with the help of a third soldier.

Ringed by enemy fire, it was almost impossible for them to break out. Ignoring all dangers, he crawled from place to place encouraging his men to keep up the fight. Often he beat back the enemy with grenades. Twice wounded, he refused evacuation and continued to hold on to the first-line trenches. The fifth enemy attack was very intense. Two enemy soldiers came so close to his position that he could not engage them without hitting his men. Lance Naik Karam Singh, jumped out of his trench and bayoneted the two intruders to death. This bold action so demoralised the enemy that they broke off the attack. On the night of 13 October and the following morning, the seventh and last of the attacks was beaten off.

Although every bunker on the knoll was destroyed, the enemy could not capture even a single one. While 1 SIKH had 15 killed and 263 wounded, the Pakistan Army lost over 300 men and 500 wounded and many Pakistanis were taken Prisoners of War.

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Lance Naik Karam Singh was an inspiration to his comrades and a threat to the enemy. He was described as a “dauntless and born leader of men in crisis, where spirits could neither be subdued by fire nor hardship. Lance Naik Karam Singh was awarded India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra for his fiercely proud spirit and for his outstanding role in the Battle of Tithwal.

Also read: Param Vir Chakra: The bravest of the brave