2024-09-15 00:18:15
New Delhi: Lance Naik Karam Singh was a warrior who single-handedly destroyed the dreams of Pakistani terrorists to capture Tithwal. Not only this, Karamveer Singh was the second braveheart to be awarded the Paramveer Chakra and he was the first such braveheart who was awarded the Paramveer Chakra while he was alive. Born on 15 September in a simple farmer family in Barnala, Punjab, Karam Singh would have never thought that when the country got independence, when it would come to hoisting the tricolor, his name would also be included in it. After independence, the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had selected five soldiers to hoist the Indian flag, Karam Singh’s name was also there. Karam Singh also wanted to become a farmer like his father. But, he heard the stories of the First World War veterans of his village and got inspired by them and decided to join the army. He joined the first battalion of the Sikh Regiment on 15 September 1941. 13 October 1948 is the date when Pakistan treacherously attacked Kashmir after the partition and made a nefarious attempt to push back Indian soldiers from Richmar Gali of Tithwal in the valley. But, a soldier of the Sikh Regiment present on the spot did not let them succeed. This soldier present at the forward point gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani soldiers every time with his gun.
Pakistani soldiers were afraid of the name Karam Singh
Pakistan tried to capture Lance Naik Karam Singh’s post for about 8 consecutive times, but Pakistani soldiers could not defeat his spirit. In such a situation, the enemy became furious and they understood that as long as Lance Naik Karam Singh was present on the post, they would not be able to capture it. In such a situation, Pakistani soldiers intensified the attack. During this time Karam Singh was badly injured. But he did not kneel down and kept fighting the Pakistani soldiers bravely. They also kept throwing grenades at them. He alone kept giving a befitting reply to the enemies like a company. It is said that the brave Karam Singh had run out of bullets.
Killed the enemies with a dagger
He killed his enemies with a dagger and finally foiled the eighth attack of Pakistan. In this way, he did not let the Pakistani soldiers’ dream of capturing Tithwal come true. His valor and indomitable courage was also awarded India’s highest military bravery award Param Vir Chakra in the year 1950. Apart from this, Lance Naik Karam Singh was also awarded the Military Medal for showing bravery in the Burma Campaign during the Second World War. Later he reached the rank of Subedar and before retiring in September 1969, he also got the status of Honorary Captain. Lance Naik Karam Singh was among those few soldiers who received the Param Vir Chakra with their own hands and lived a long life and breathed his last in his village in 1985.