Winners of

Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

since 1950

Compiled

([email protected])

Institute of Objective Studies

162, Jogabai Main Road,
Jamia Nagar, New Delhi – 110025
Courtesy: http://india.gov.in , http://indianarmy.nic.in and http://indianairforce.nic.in/ )

Winners of Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

since 1950

1. Major Somnath Sharma (Posthumous)

Major Somnath Sharma son of Major General Amarnath Sharma was born on January 31, 1923, in
Himachal Pradesh. He was commissioned in the Kumaon Regiment on February 22, 1942. On
October 22, 1947, Pakistan launched the tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir. Major Somnath
Sharma laid down his life for the country on November 3, 1947 in Badgam, Kashmir in a brave
fight against Pakistan troops. Major General Amarnath Sharma received India's first and
highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, on behalf of his son.

2. Lance Naik Karam Singh

Lance Naik Karam Singh was born on September 15, 1915, in Barnala, Punjab. He was enrolled in
1 Sikh Regiment on September 15, 1941. He had earned a Military Medal in World War II. During
the Jammu & Kashmir operations in 1948, the Indian Army made substantial gains in the Tithwal
sector. Karam Singh was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, for
his outstanding role in the battle of Tithwal.

3. Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane

Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane was born on June 26, 1918 at Chendia, Karnataka. He was
commissioned in the Corps of Engineers on December 15, 1947. He served with distinction during
the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir operations. On March 18, 1948, the Indian Army recaptured
Jhangar, which was lost to the enemy in December 1947. Indian troops then planned an advance
from Naushahra to Rajouri. Rane made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance
on Rajouri. The gallant effort made by Rane during this critical advance earned him the highest
wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra.

4. Naik Jadunath Singh (Posthumous)

Naik Jadunath Singh was born on November 21, 1916 in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was
enrolled in the 1 Rajput Regiment on November 21, 1941. During the Jammu & Kashmir operations
in the winter of 1947, the capture of Jhangar on December 24th, by the Pakistani raiders, placed
them in an advantageous position in the Naushahra sector. At a most critical stage in the battle for
the defence of Naushahra, he saved his picket from being overrun by the enemy. Naik Jadunath
Singh was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.
5. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh (Posthumous)

Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was born on May 20, 1918 in Rajasthan. He was enrolled in
the 6 Rajputana Rifles on May 20, 1936. During the Jammu & Kashmir operations in summer of
1948, Pakistani raiders mounted a strong counter offensive in the Tithwal sector. The enemy also
forced the Indian Army to vacate their forward positions across river Kishanganga. After the
setback, Indian troops took position on the Tithwal ridge. Havilder Major Piru Singh laid down
his life, in a brave fight against the enemies, leaving for the rest of his comrades a unique
example of single-handed bravery and determined courage. He was honoured with the highest
wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

6. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (Posthumous)

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was born on November 29, 1935, in Gurdaspur, Punjab. He was
commissioned in the 1 Gorkha Rifles on 9 June 1957. After the Belgians quit Congo, a civil war
situation developed in that country. When the United Nations decided upon military intervention
to retrieve the situation, India contributed a brigade of around 3000 men to the UN Force. Captain
Salaria prevented the enemy from going to the roundabout thereby saving the UN Headquarters in
Elizabethville from encirclement. For his extraordinary leadership and devotion to duty, Captain
Gurbachan Singh Salaria was awarded the highest wartime medal, Param Vir Chakra,
posthumously.

7. Major Dhan Singh Thapa

Major Dhan Singh Thapa, born on April 10, 1928 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, was commissioned
in the 8 Gorkha Rifles on August 28, 1949. The Sirijap valley, north of the Pangong Lake in
Ladakh, was considered vital for the defence of Chushul airfield. The 1/8 Gorkha Rifles had
outposts there to thwart any enemy encroachment in the area. One of these outposts named Sirijap-1
was held by a platoon of 'D' Company under the command of Major Dhan Singh Thapa when the
Chinese attack came on October 21, 1962. Major Thapa repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses
on the enemy. For his gallant act, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was honoured with the highest wartime
gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra.

8. Subedar Joginder Singh (Posthumous)

Subedar Joginder Singh was born on September 26, 1921, in Faridkot, Punjab. On September 28,
1936, he was enrolled in the 1 Sikh Regiment. During the 1962 Indo-China War, Subedar Joginder
Singh commanded a platoon in the Tawang sector of North East Frontier Agency. On October 23,
the Chinese launched an attack on the Bum La axis. Subedar Joginder Singh and his platoon stood
firm like a rock. Singh, despite a wound in the thigh, refused evacuation. He manned a light machine
gun and killed a large number of enemies. By now all ammunition with the platoon had been
exhausted. Subedar Joginder Singh and his men fell upon the advancing enemy and bayoneted many
to death. Subedar Singh was killed in this epic battle. For his inspiring leadership, courage and
devotion to duty, he was awarded the highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

9. Major Shaitan Singh (Posthumous)

Major Shaitan Singh, son of Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singhji, was commissioned in the Kumaon
Regiment on August 01, 1949. During the 1962 Indo-China conflict, 13 Kumaon was deployed in
Chusul sector. The battalion led by Major Shaitan Singh held a crucial position at Rezang La, at a
height of 5000 metres. The expected Chinese attack on Rezang La came on November 18. Unmindful
of his personal safety, Major Shaitan Singh moved from one platoon post to another and encouraged
his men to fight. He was mortally wounded. Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the
highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and devotion to duty.
10.Company Havildar Major Abdul Hamid (Posthumous)
Company Quarter-Master Havildar Abdul Hamid was born on July 1, 1933, in Uttar Pradesh. He
was enrolled in the 4 Grenadiers on December 27, 1954. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, 4 Indian
Division was entrusted with the responsibility of capturing Pak territory East of Lchhogil Canal and
contain possible enemy attack on Kasur-Khem Karan axis. The enemy tanks had penetrated the
forward company positions. Hamid was commanding a recoilless gun detachment. He knocked out
two enemy tanks. By this time the enemy brought down concentrated machine gun and high
explosive fire on him. But he kept on firing. He was mortally wounded by a high explosive shell.
Hamid was honoured with the highest war time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

11. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore (Posthumous)

Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was born on August 18, 1923 in Mumbai. He joined
the Hyderabad State Force in 1942 and saw active service in West Asia during World War-II. He
was commissioned in Poona Horse on April 01, 1951. The biggest tank battle of the 1965 Indo-Pak
War took place at Phillora in the Sialkot sector. Lt. Col. A B Tarapore defied the enemy's charge,
held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an Infantry
battalion. When wounded, he refused to be evacuated. On September 14, 1965, he led his regiment
to capture Wazirali. Unmindful of his injury, he again led his regiment and captured Jassoran and
Butur-Dograndi on September 16, 1965. In this battle his own tank was hit several times. Lt.
Colonel A B Tarapore tank was in flames and he died a hero's death. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir
Burzarji Tarapore was awarded with the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

12. Lance Naik Albert Ekka (Posthumous)

Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born on December 27, 1942 in Ranchi, Bihar. He was enrolled in the
14 Guards on December 27, 1962. During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the 14 Guards was asked to
capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, 6½ km west of Agartala in the eastern sector. Ekka went
with the left forward company of the battalion in the attack. He charged the enemy bunker,
bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the light machine gun. Though seriously injured in this
encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades with courage, securing bunker after bunker.
He hurled a grenade into the enemy bunker. Ekka died of the injuries suffered during this battle.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal,
posthumously.

13. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Posthumous)

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on July 17, 1943 in Ludhiana, Punjab. He was
commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 4, 1967. During the 1971 operations, Sekhon was
with No. 18 "Flying Bullets" Squadron flying the Folland Gnat fighter based at Srinagar. He and his
colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination. On
the 14th of December 1971, Srinagar Airfield was attacked by a wave of six enemy Sabre aircraft.
Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. He succeeded in damaging
two of the enemy aircraft. His aircraft crashed and he was killed. For his sublime heroism, supreme
gallantry, he was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously.

14. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (Posthumous)

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, son of Brigadier M L Khetarpal, was born on October 14, 1950, in
Pune, Maharashtra. He was commissioned in the 17 Poona Horse on June 13, 1971. During the 1971
Indo-Pak War, the 47 Infantry Brigade, with the 17 Poona Horse under command, was ordered to
establish a bridge-head across the Basantar River in Shakargarh sector. Khetarpal fiercely attacked the
enemy strong points and captured many enemy soldiers and recoilless guns at gunpoint. He destroyed
several enemy tanks. In the thick of the battle, Khetarpal's tank also received a shot and burst into
flames. But realising the useful role of his tank in preventing a breakthrough, he set about destroying
the remaining enemy tanks. At this stage his tank received a second hit. The brave Officer met his
death denying the enemy the intended breakthrough. For his conspicuous gallantry, Khetarpal was honoured with the
highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.
15. Major Hoshiar Singh
Major Hoshiar Singh was born on May 05, 1936 in Haryana. He was commissioned in the
Grenadiers Regiment on June 30, 1963. He was also Mentioned-in-Despatches. On December 17th,
during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, though wounded seriously in enemy shelling, Major Singh again went
alone from trench to trench, moving in the open. Major Singh, realising the importance of fire
support at this juncture, rushed to the machine gun pit and operated the gun inflicting heavy
casualties on the enemy. The enemy attack was repulsed, and they beat a hasty retreat. Throughout
this operation, Major Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, grim
determination and indomitable spirit. He was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal,
Param Vir Chakra.

16. Naib Subedar Bana Singh

Naib Subedar Bana Singh, born in Kadyal, Jammu on January 6, 1949, was enrolled in the Indian
Army on January 6, 1969 into the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI). During June 1987, the
8 JAK LI, was deployed in the Siachen area. Naib Subedar Singh volunteered to join the special task
force formed to root out Pakistani infiltrators. Naib Subedar Bana Singh led his men through an
extremely difficult and hazardous route. Lobbing hand-grenades, charging with a bayonet and moving
from trench to trench, he cleared the post of all intruders. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the
highest wartime gallantry medal, for conspicuous bravery and leadership under most adverse
conditions.
17. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran (Posthumous)
Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was born on September 13, 1946, in Mumbai. He was granted Short
Service Commission in the Mahar Regiment on January 16, 1972. He took part in a number of
operations undertaken by the Indian Army. Under the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement many Indian Army
units were dispatched to Sri Lanka to maintain law and order there. On November 25, 1987, Major
Parameswaran and his column were ambushed by a group of militants. With great presence of mind he
encircled the militants from the rear and boldly charged them. During the hand-to-hand combat that
followed, one militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted by his grave injury, he snatched the rifle from a
militant and shot him dead. Though critically wounded he continued to give orders and inspire his
command till he breathed his last. For the most conspicuous bravery & supreme sacrifice, Parameswaran was honoured
with the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.
18. Captain Vikram Batra (Posthumous)
Captain Vikram Batra, 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, and his Delta Company were given the task of
recapturing Point 5140. Captain Batra single-handedly engaged three enemy soldiers in close combat
and killed them. He was seriously injured during this combat, but insisted on regrouping his men to
continue with the given task at hand. Inspired by the extraordinary courage displayed by Captain Batra,
the soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles charged the enemy position and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on June
20, 1999. Captain Batra led his men to even more glorious victories with the recapture of Point 4750 and
Point 4875. He was tragically killed, when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy
counterattack. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery, Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the
Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously.

19. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey

Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, forced back the intruders from the Batalik sector
on June 11, 1999. He led his men to recapture the Jaubar Top, a feature of great operational importance.
But his finest hour was in the capture of Khalubar in the early morning hours of July 3, 1999. On the
night of July 2-3, 1999 the battalion's progress on to its final objective, was halted by a determined
enemy firmly entrenched on commanding heights. The young officer led his platoon along a narrow,
treacherous ridge that led to the enemy position. He surged ahead of his troops and charged at the enemy
with a full-throated battle cry through a hail of bullets. Although wounded in the shoulder and leg, he
pressed on his solitary charge with grim determination. Critically bleeding, he collapsed at the final bunker and finally
succumbed to his injuries, but not before the last of the enemy had been annihilated. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey was
awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest medal for gallantry, posthumously.
20. Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav of 18 Grenadiers was part of the Commando 'Ghatak' Platoon tasked to
capture three strategic bunkers on Tiger Hill during the Kargil war on the night of July 3-4, 1999. In spite
of having been hit by three bullets in his groin and shoulder, displaying great strength and resolve, he
climbed the remaining 60 feet, all by himself and reached the top. With rare grit and courage, he crawled
up to the bunker critically injured and lobbed a grenade killing four Pakistani soldiers and neutralising
enemy fire. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and gallantry of the
highest order in the face of the enemy, Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's
highest medal for gallantry.

21. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, was the leading Scout of a team tasked to
capturing Area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley on July 4, 1999, being held by Pakistani-
backed militants. Without concern for personal safety, Kumar crawled alone up the ledge and charged
towards the enemy bunker, through a hail of automatic fire. Bleeding profusely from the bullet wounds,
he continued the charge towards the bunker. He then picked up the enemy machine gun and crept towards
the second enemy bunker. Three enemy soldiers, taken completely by surprise were killed by him on the
spot. For his sustained display of bravery, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.