The Battle of Tithwal was a crucial engagement in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, where both sides fiercely contested control over the strategic Tithwal sector in Jammu & Kashmir. This battle was not only significant for its impact on the war but also for the extraordinary gallantry displayed by Indian soldiers. It was during this battle that two soldiers—Lance Naik Karam Singh and Second Lieutenant R.R. Rane—were awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award. Their fearless leadership and heroic resistance played a decisive role in thwarting enemy advances and securing a vital defensive position for India.
Early Years
Lance Naik Karam Singh, was born on September 15, 1915, in Barnala, Punjab. His father, Uttam Singh, was a farmer. Singh also intended to become a farmer, but he decided to join the army after being inspired by the stories of First World War veterans from his village, Sehna. Enrolled in the 1 Sikh Regiment on September 15, 1941, he displayed exemplary courage and leadership, earning the prestigious Military Medal during World War II. However, it was his extraordinary valor during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, specifically in the Battle of Tithwal, that immortalized him as one of India’s greatest war heroes.
The Battle of Tithwal
During the summer of 1948, the Indian Army made significant gains in the Tithwal sector of Jammu & Kashmir. On May 23, 1948, they successfully captured Tithwal, forcing the enemy to flee in disarray, abandoning their weapons and equipment in the Kishanganga River. However, the enemy quickly regrouped and launched a series of determined counter-attacks in an effort to reclaim lost ground. Unable to withstand the relentless assaults, Indian forces withdrew to the Tithwal ridge, where they fortified their defenses against the enemy onslaught.
The battle raged for months, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. On October 13, 1948, coinciding with the festival of Eid, the enemy launched a desperate brigade-strength attack aimed at capturing Richhmar Gali and outflanking the Indian forces via the Nastachur Pass. The intense assault sought to penetrate Indian defenses and advance into the Srinagar Valley. The 1 Sikh Regiment played a crucial role in repelling this massive offensive.
Lance Naik Karam Singh’s Heroic Stand
Lance Naik Karam Singh, commanding a forward outpost in the Richhmar Gali area, found himself at the forefront of the enemy assault. The attack commenced with relentless artillery and mortar shelling, which devastated the platoon’s bunkers and communication trenches. Despite the overwhelming barrage, Karam Singh moved from bunker to bunker, tending to the wounded and inspiring his men to hold their ground.
The enemy launched eight ferocious attacks against his outpost, each time being met with fierce resistance. As ammunition supplies dwindled, Karam Singh made the bold decision to fall back to the main company position. Despite being wounded, he heroically carried back two injured comrades with the assistance of another soldier. Surrounded by enemy fire, he crawled from trench to trench, encouraging his men and personally engaging the enemy with grenades and gunfire.
By the time the fifth enemy assault commenced, the battle had reached a critical juncture. Two enemy soldiers managed to infiltrate his position, getting so close that engaging them with gunfire posed a risk to his own men. Without hesitation, Karam Singh leaped from his trench and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, killing both intruders with his bayonet. This audacious act shattered the enemy’s morale, causing them to retreat. Despite his injuries, Karam Singh and his men repulsed three more enemy assaults, preventing the fall of the Indian defensive position.
Legacy
Singh died on 20 January 1993 in his village, and was survived by his wife, Gurdial Kaur, and children. Lance Naik Karam Singh’s unmatched courage and indomitable spirit turned the tide of battle in India’s favor. His leadership and tenacity served as an inspiration to his comrades, while his fearless combat skills struck fear into the enemy. For his extraordinary bravery and unyielding resolve in the face of overwhelming odds, he was awarded India’s highest wartime gallantry honor, the Param Vir Chakra.
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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