Page 56 - NIS ENGLISH 1-15 May, 2026

PERSONALITY | Major Hoshiar Singh

Struck fear into the

hearts of Pakistani Army,

Forcing them to Flee

During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, Major Hoshiar Singh exemplified
such unmatched bravery, which left the enemy shell-shocked.
Despite adversity from all sides, amidst intense bullet firing
and the thunder of the tanks, he never abandoned his
post. Despite getting grievous injuries, he continued to
boost the morale of his company. His courage forced
the enemy to flee. The heroic sagas of Major Hoshiar
Singh, a recipient of the Param Vir Chakra for giving a
crushing defeat to the enemy, will forever continue to
Born: May 5, 1937 | Died: December 6, 1998 inspire the youth to serve their motherland.

rave men die but once. You must fight; you must courage and leadership, his company repelled every
achieve victory. These words by Major Hoshiar attack, inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy.
BSingh, to his troops who held the front lines at On December 17, the enemy launched yet another
Basantar motivated them to make the enemy bite assault, this time supported by heavy artillery.
the dust. Born on May 5, 1937, in Haryana, Hoshiar Despite being critically wounded by an enemy shell,
Singh was disciplined and showed high resolve from foregoing his own safety, he moved from trench to
his very childhood. In addition to excelling in his trench, personally raising the morale of the troops.
academics, he also distinguished himself in sports He rushed to a medium machine gun (MMG) post
and athletics. In 1957, Hoshiar Singh joined the Jat after an enemy shell wounded the operator. He
Regiment, and later, he was commissioned as an took command of the weapon and inflicted heavy
officer in the 3rd Grenadiers casualties upon the enemy. He completely thwarted
During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, the 3rd Grena- the enemy’s offensive, forcing them into a retreat.
diers Battalion was assigned the task of construct- The enemy fled, suffering heavy casualties with
ing a bridge over the Basantar River, an area heavily 85 of its soldiers dead, including their Commanding
mined on both banks. Subsequently, his company Officer. Major Hoshiar Singh, despite being severely
was ordered to cross the bridge and capture the wounded, refused to leave behind his post until
military stronghold of Jarpal. On December 15, the ceasefire came into force. For his exceptional
1971, Major Hoshiar Singh, leading a company of gallantry, indomitable spirit, and fearless leadership
Grenadiers, charged at the enemy without being in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, he was
deterred by the enemy’s intense gunfire. awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He passed away on
Following a fierce combat, he succeeded in achiev- December 6, 1998. On January 23, 2023, Prime Min-
ing the objectives. On December 16, the enemy ister Narendra Modi named the 21 largest unnamed
launched three counterattacks. Despite heavy shell- islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after
ing and barrages of tank fire, he continued to en- 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients. One of these islands
courage his troops to hold their ground firmly and is dedicated to Param Vir Chakra recipient Major
push back the enemy. Inspired by his Hoshiar Singh. n

54 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 01-15, 2026