Mehar Singh — A born fighter

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

The tiny state of Himachal, with population just about 2 per cent of the Indian total, is way ahead than other states in valour and the demonstrated grit of its military brave-hearts. 

Of 21 Param Vir awardees of India, four are Himachalis, and that equals Uttar Pradesh, a state seven times bigger in area and population. Himachal soil has also produced two Vr C winners in the wars overseas. Among 218 Military Maha Virs, 13 have been produced and nurtured by the very rich and pure soil of the state and in the long list of 66 Vir Chakra awardees from Himachal, Rifleman (Rfn) Mehar Singh from Mandi district is another living legend. He was just 20-year-old when he earned the coveted award for himself.

Son of Chet Ram Thakur, Mehar Singh was born on June 1, 1975, in Upper Lot village of Mandi district. The youth of Kangra, Bilaspur and Mandi districts traditionally choose military as a career and continue to do so as a service to the motherland. After passing matriculation from Government Senior Secondary, Gokhra, in Mandi district, Mehar Singh was enrolled in the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF), the only infantry battalion in the Indian Army to have won two highest military decorations in a single war. 

During 'Operation Vijay', Tololing ridgeline, that was occupied by the Pakistani regular troops, had adjacent to it Pt 5140, the most dominating feature in Dras sub-sector, which effectively dominated the Srinagar-Leh National Highway by observation and artillery fire. The highway, in fact is the lifeline of Leh and Ladakh and to ensure unhindered vehicular traffic on it, the recapture of Pt 5140 at the earliest needed no second thought. It was also appreciated that a strong hold on this feature was also key to furthering operations in the sub-sector.

The 13 JAK RIF had been inducted into Dras sub-sector in the first week of June 1999. It was a fresh battalion adequately acclimatised for high-altitude warfare. The battalion was given the task to recapture Pt 5140 as part of the operations of 56 Mountain Brigade, a task which was executed by its 'D' company led by Captain Vikram Batra in the bravest manner. It was during the successful re-capture of this formidable feature, that Rfn Mehar Singh, for his exceptional bravery, was awarded the Vir Chakra. 

Rfn Mehar Singh, Vr C, now a Naib Subedar, is on active service with his battalion as a Platoon Commander. When on leave in his village, he is often invited to schools, where he inspires and motivates young students to join the defence services.  

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)

Battle account as recorded in war diary of 13 JAK RIF battalion

“On June 20, 1999, Rfn Mehar Singh was the Light Machine Gun Number Two in 'D' company of 13 JAK RIF, when the company was tasked to attack and dislodge the Pakistani intruders forcibly occupying Pt 5140, a tactically important feature overlooking the entire Dras sector. The company approached the feature from the east to reach within assaulting distance of the enemy defenses. After reorganising the attacking troops and before the assault, Rfn Mehar Singh was tasked to provide covering fire to the assaulting column. Mehar Singh, most audaciously and with utter disregard to his personal safety, trekked almost impassable rocky terrain and deployed his machine gun at a place from where he could provide most accurate covering fire. When the actual assault on the objective began, Mehar Singh provided heavy fire onto the enemy causing attrition and panic while his company moved in for the decisive hand-to-hand combat.  Seeing no further requirement of covering fire, Mehar Singh,on his own, left his machine gun, took up the rifle of his wounded colleague and in utmost fury, pounced upon the enemy and also got himself embroiled in hand-to-hand fight, which finally led to the successful re-capture of the vital feature. Rfn Mehar Singh displayed his uniquely aggressive fighting spirit yet again on July 7, 1999, when he volunteered to be a part of assaulting column, once again led by Captain Vikram Batra, the Sher Shah, during the capture of Pt 4875, another formidable feature strongly held by the intruders. His daredevilry during the encounter totally unnerved the enemy resulting in the recapture of the objective earlier than expected. For his selfless dedication to duty, aggressive determination and courage in the face of the enemy, Rfn Mehar Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra.”

Now a platoon commander

Rfn Mehar Singh, Vr C, now a Naib Subedar, is on active service with his battalion as a Platoon Commander. When on leave in his village, he is often invited to schools, where he inspires and motivates young students to join the defence services.