The breath stopped, the pulse started freezing… still we did not let the progress stop… our heads were cut, there is no sorrow for us… Sir, we did not let the Himalayas bow down… we kept on dying and dying, my friends… now my country is handed over to you, my friends…
The number of stories of heroic tales of India that can be told is very less. This soil has given birth to such brave sons, who protected the honor and glory of the country with their indomitable courage, sacrifice and sacrifice. Every Indian soldier standing at the border not only protects the border, but also carries in his chest the trust of crores of Indians standing behind him and the pride of the tricolor.
Today in this series of ‘Jawan Tujhe Salaam’, the story of a hero who refused to accept defeat even in the face of bullets, deep wounds and death. The enemy thought that this lion would become weak after getting injured, but his roar echoed in the battlefield in such a way that the courage of the enemies was shattered.
The name was Lance Naik Karam Singh – that brave warrior of the Indian Army, before whose bravery even the enemy trembled. He displayed amazing courage in the India-Pakistan war of 1948 and was awarded the country’s highest military honor Param Vir Chakra for his bravery. His story is not just the story of bravery shown on the battlefield, but is an example of the spirit in which a soldier gives more importance to the country than his body. So come, today in ‘Jawan Tujhe Salaam’ let us know the story of that wounded lion, who despite his wounds, did not leave the front and with his indomitable courage got his name registered forever on the pages of history. After partition, when Naik Karam Singh hoisted the tricolor for the first time under the leadership of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
In the war of 1948, there was an Indian soldier in front of whom there was a flood of enemies and bullets were raining continuously. He himself was badly injured. But instead of leaving the front, he supported his comrades. There came a time when the bullets in the weapons ran out, yet he did not stop. He picked up the dagger and moved towards the enemy.
This is the story of Lance Naik Karam Singh. But his heroic story is not limited to just one war or one incident. There are many such stories in his life, which tell how a soldier from an ordinary farmer family reached the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award. Let us understand the life of Karam Singh through his different stories.
When the enemy thought that the Indian post would not last much longer
The year 1948…not much time had passed since independence and the Indian Army was fighting a very difficult battle in Jammu and Kashmir. The area of Titwal was strategically important. The Indian Army had captured this area, but Pakistan wanted to regain it. For this, Pakistani soldiers started attacking towards Richmar Gali. It was night time. Mountains, darkness and the sound of bullets all around.
The number of soldiers present at the Indian post was less than that of the enemy. There were continuous attacks from the front. At that time, Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding the post. The enemy might have thought that the Indian soldiers would retreat under the pressure of numerical strength and continuous firing, but he had no idea about Karam Singh.
Karam Singh controlled his soldiers and decided to stand firm on the front. The enemy continued moving forward. Indian soldiers kept replying. When one attack failed, another started. But the post was not missed. Karam Singh continued to roam among his soldiers and encourage them. He was not just a commander who gave orders, but was himself present at the most difficult places.
Wounds on the body, but did not step back from the front.
The war had now become even more terrible. There was continuous firing from Pakistani soldiers. During this time Karam Singh also got injured. Imagine… the soldier who himself needed treatment was taking care of his comrades instead of worrying about his wounds. Karam Singh was not sitting at one place and waiting for the fight to end.
He kept going to different parts of the front. Wherever any soldier’s morale was weak, he would reach there. Wherever retaliatory action was required, he would have been present there. For him, injury did not mean being out of the fight. His motive was clear. The enemy must not be allowed to reach the post. His presence had an impact on the other soldiers as well. When their commander was standing in the field despite being injured, there was no question of retreat for the remaining soldiers.
When the bullets ran out and Karam Singh picked up the dagger
Now comes the most famous story of Karam Singh’s heroic story. There came a time in the middle of the fight when he ran out of bullets. The enemy was still in front i.e. a situation where any soldier could think about his safety. But Karam Singh’s eyes fell on one of his fellow soldiers. That soldier was trapped among the enemy. Now Karam Singh had two options: either save his life and stay at a safe place or go towards the enemy to save that soldier. Karam Singh chose another path. He picked up the dagger lying nearby and moved towards the enemy.
There was no bullet, there was an option to retreat but Karam Singh moved forward. He fought close to the enemy and killed two Pakistani soldiers with a dagger. After this he took out his fellow soldier from there. It was not just bravery on the battlefield. It was a decision to risk one’s life for one’s partner.
He himself was injured, yet returned carrying his comrades on his shoulders.
When Karam Singh returned after saving his companion, his responsibility did not end. He also saw the Indian soldiers lying injured on the battlefield. He himself was already injured but he did not accept to leave those soldiers behind. He picked up the injured soldiers and helped them reach the Indian front safely, that is, at a time when every soldier was trying to save his own life, Karam Singh was moving forward to save the lives of others.
This is the reason why his story does not become merely a story of killing the enemy. This story is also about saving one’s partner. This is the reason why Karam Singh is remembered in Indian military history not only as a Param Vir Chakra winner, but also as a soldier who risked his life for his comrades.
Who was Lance Naik Karam Singh?
Now at the end of the story, let us return to that young man, whose stories we heard one by one. Lance Naik Karam Singh was born on 15 September 1915 in Sehna village of Barnala district of Punjab. He belonged to a farmer family and later joined the army. He also took part in the Second World War and gained military experience.
After independence, in the battle of Jammu and Kashmir in 1948, he showed extraordinary bravery in the Richhmar Gali area of Titwal. Despite heavy pressure, continuous enemy attacks and being injured himself, he maintained his position. For his bravery he was awarded the Paramvir Chakra. He died in 1995 after living a long life. But the story of Karam Singh did not end there.
His story is still a part of the story of every Indian soldier, who stands up to protect his comrades and the country even in the most difficult situations. Bullets may run out, weapons may break, bodies may get injured. But the story of Karam Singh tells that if a soldier’s courage is alive, the fight is still left.