Rajput Regiment: 1947–48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations

Rajput Regiment: 1947–48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations

Naik Jadu Nath Singh, PVC

At the time of partition in 1947, Punjabi Muslims who formed up to 50% of the strength in most battalions were transferred to the Pakistan Army. The gaps created by their departure were filled in by Gujjars, who came over from the Punjab Regiments which were allotted to Pakistan.

Four Rajput Regiments (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) participated in the 1947–48 operations in Jammu & Kashmir. 3 Rajput was the first to be inducted. Its original task was to protect Ramban and Jammu, but it quickly came under 50 Para Brigade for its relief of Jhangar and Kotli. The advance from Jhangar to Kotli took five days, as the column had to clear 47 road blocks. After the relief of Kotli the column returned to Naushera. 1 Rajput was inducted next and it also formed a part of 50 Para Brigade at Naushera. It had its share of fighting in clearing the raiders from some hill features around Naushera. The raiders meanwhile kept heavy pressure on the Naushera-Jhangar road and both 1 and 3 Rajput fought a number of engagements to keep the road open. In December 1947, 4 Rajput were inducted and deployed in the Chammb-Akhnoor area. 2 Rajput came in next and were employed for lines of communication duties around Jammu.

Aggressive patrolling was done by 1 and 3 Rajputs around Naushera and Kot. On 6 February 1948 a strong patrol was sent out in the area east of Naushera. The patrol was surrounded by an enemy force of approximately 1000 men. Soon a fierce fight started which continued for seven hours. During this time Subedar Gopal Singh's platoon came under heavy pressure. Gopal Singh, wounded thrice, kept reorganizing his men time and again. At one time Gopal Singh got separated from his platoon and had only three men at his side, one of them being Sepoy Sikdar Singh. When things got tough Subedar Gopal Singh led a bayonet charge during which he was seriously wounded. Sikdar Singh picked him up and carried him back to the main patrol area. Havildar Mahadeo Singh was another hero. He kept on supplying ammunition to the Bren gunners of the platoon, and a couple of times he walked through heavy enemy fire to get the ammunition through. In one of his attempts he was wounded and fell down, but when he scrambled to his feet he was riddled with bullets. In this action the 3 Rajput won 3 VrCs – one each to Subedar Gopal Singh and Sepoy Sikdar Singh and a posthumous one to Havildar Mahadeo Singh.

After the fall of Jhangar, Naushera became the enemy's next objective. Brigadier Mohammad Usman, the 50 Para Brigade commander, closely watched the situation and drew up defensive plans in which the Rajputs were holding tactical ground around Naushera. C company, 1 Rajput was holding the vital Taindhar position, which was vital for the defence of Naushera. Brig. Usman had directed C company to hold this position at any cost in case of an attack. On the early morning hours of 6 February 1948 the enemy attacked the Taindhar position. The enemy was about 1500 strong and consisted mostly of Pathans with some Pakistani servicemen. The enemy attacked in waves of lines of 200–300 men. Six such attacks were launched and there was heavy hand-to-hand fighting in some posts. Havildar Daya Ram who was then manning the 3-inch mortar detachment realised that the enemy had gotten very close to the defensive positions. He took the secondary charge out of the mortar bombs, elevated the mortars to their maximum limit and fired the bombs. These bombs landed within 30–50 yards of the Rajput defensive positions and caused havoc among the enemy. Some of the enemy switched and attacked Daya Ram's section, but the position held. Daya Ram was wounded and his Bren gunner was killed. He then picked up the Bren gun and started firing at the enemy. For his courageous actions, Daya Ram was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

The left flank of C company gave an easy approach to the enemy. This sector was defended by Naik Jadu Nath Singh and his section. The enemy after failing in the frontal attacks switched the main effort on this sector. Jadu Nath Singh effectively directed the fire of his Bren gun, rifles and grenades. The enemy, however still continued to advance. Jadu Nath Singh rushed out of his defensive position throwing hand grenades and firing his Sten gun, taking the enemy by surprise and forcing them to withdraw to regroup. The enemy charged again, but Jadu Nath Singh again stood firm and charged out. He was wounded this time but the attack failed again. By this time his section had suffered heavy casualties. The enemy attacked again and Jadu Nath Singh charged out for the third time, firing his Sten gun and hurling grenades. He was hit by two bullets, one in the head and another in the chest and at last fell. The enemy had lost heart after this and withdrew, leaving behind a large number of dead and wounded. For his gallantry, Naik Jadu Nath Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.