The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for displaying conspicuous acts of valor in the face of the enemy, and Company Quartermaster Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid’s selfless courage exemplifies the very spirit of this honor. His name remains an enduring symbol of unparalleled bravery and selfless sacrifice. His fearless actions in the Battle of Asal Uttar turned the tide of war also earning him the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and most prestigious gallantry award. Such was his extraordinary bravery that a poem titled ‘National War Memorial’ and the chapter ‘Veer Abdul Hameed’ have even been added to the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) curriculum for Class VI students from the current academic year (2024-25). His legacy is a shining testament to the unyielding dedication and heroism that the award represents, serving as an inspiration for generations of soldiers and citizens alike.
Early Life and Military Service
Born on 1st July 1933 in Dhamupur village, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Abdul Hamid hailed from a humble background. His parents, Mohammad Usman and Sakina Begum, raised him alongside his two sisters and three brothers. Financial hardships prevented him from pursuing higher education beyond the eighth standard. To support his family, he worked at his father’s tailoring shop before joining the Indian Army in 1953 at the age of twenty.
Hamid trained at the Grenadiers Regimental Centre in Nasirabad and was posted to the 4 GRENADIERS in 1955. The Grenadiers, a distinguished infantry regiment of the Indian Army, had an illustrious history dating back to the British era. The regiment had displayed exemplary valour in World War I and II, as well as in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Hamid initially served in a rifle company before being transferred to the Recoil-Less (RCL) Gun Platoon, where he honed his anti-tank warfare skills.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War and the Battle of Asal Uttar
The Indo-Pakistani conflict of 1965 was rooted in Pakistan’s aggressive attempts to annex Jammu and Kashmir. While India was still recovering from the 1962 war with China, Pakistan saw an opportunity to launch a military offensive, believing India to be militarily weak. The war formally began on 24th April 1965, when Pakistani forces infiltrated Indian territory in the Rann of Kutch. This act of aggression soon escalated into full-scale war, and battles erupted in multiple sectors, including Khem Karan in Punjab, where Abdul Hamid made history.
The Khem Karan sector was strategically crucial due to its connectivity to major road networks. During the Battle of Asal Uttar, 4 GRENADIERS, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Farat Bhatty, played a pivotal role in thwarting the enemy’s advance. On 8th September 1965, the battalion took defensive positions amidst sugarcane fields, hastily digging trenches to prepare for an impending assault by Pakistan’s 4th Armoured Brigade, which was armed with formidable Patton tanks.
CQMH Abdul Hamid’s Bravery on the Battlefield
At 0730 hours on 8th September, the first wave of Pakistani Patton tanks rumbled into view. CQMH Abdul Hamid, stationed with his Recoilless Gun (RCL) on a jeep, waited patiently. As soon as the enemy tank closed in within 30 yards, he took precise aim and destroyed it. His comrades followed suit, forcing enemy tank crews to abandon their vehicles and retreat.
Undeterred by initial setbacks, the Pakistanis launched another offensive on 10th September 1965. At 0800 hours, a full regiment of Patton tanks advanced towards a critical sector ahead of village Chima on Bhikhiwind Road. As the enemy tanks penetrated forward positions by 0900 hours, Abdul Hamid took charge of the situation. He maneuvered his jeep-mounted RCL gun into a flanking position, braving intense shelling and tank fire.
Taking advantage of his vantage point, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and swiftly changed position to eliminate another. His fearless precision wreaked havoc on the Pakistani armoured column. However, his relentless onslaught soon drew the enemy’s attention. The Pakistanis directed concentrated machine-gun and high-explosive fire at his position. Even in the face of imminent danger, Abdul Hamid continued his attack, targeting yet another enemy tank. Tragically, before he could fire again, he was fatally struck by an enemy shell.
Legacy
CQMH Abdul Hamid’s gallant stand inspired his comrades to put up a fierce resistance, ultimately halting the Pakistani advance. His sacrifice played a crucial role in one of the biggest tank battles fought since World War II, leading to Pakistan’s humiliating retreat. His courage was in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, earning him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
Abdul Hamid’s grave and a memorial dedicated to the Battle of Asal Uttar are situated near Chima Village, along the Khemkaran-Bhikkiwind road in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. In 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi paid tribute to Abdul Hamid, and laid a wreath at his tomb, honoring his bravery and supreme sacrifice. Every year, there is big sports and culture fair is organized in Asal Uttar village on 9 September in the memory of Abdul Hamid. A memorial to Hamid in his home village of Dhamupur which had fallen into disrepair was renovated in 2011 by the Flags of Honor Foundation for the 46th anniversary of his death. The renovation included a new statue of Hamid, repairs and painting of the gates and boundary, and improvements to the garden.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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