Major Jaswal — The hero of Chak Amru

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal was a second generation soldier in olive green. His father Jemadar Laddha Singh was a veteran of World War II and 1947-48 India-Pakistan war in Jammu and Kashmir. 

He was born on July 20, 1942, at Deoli village in Una district of present day Himachal Pradesh. He passed his matriculation from Public High School, Ghanari, near Una. After graduation, Gurdev was selected as Emergency Commissioned Officer on May 10, 1964, and was posted to the 22nd Battalion of the Punjab Infantry Regiment.

During 1971 India-Pakistan conflict, as envisaged, Pak strategy on the Western Front was to capture as much Indian territory as possible to compensate for the most likely losses to be suffered on the Eastern Front (East Pakistan). The Indian Army feared that with this objective, Pakistan could launch an attack opposite the Shakargarh Bulge targeting Pathankot and Jammu-Pathankot road, thereby cutting off Jammu and Kashmir from the mainland India. 

When the expected pre-emptive Pak attack did not materialise, India decided to mount an attack on Shakargarh Bulge at dusk on December 5, 1971, although some formations were put on defensive to stall the possible Pak riposte in the direction of Amritsar and Gurdaspur. 

While area Chakra, south of Hiranagar in the west of Shakargarh Bulge, was a vital ground for the Indian Army, Chak Amru inside north-east of the Bulge was expected to be the pivot of manoeuvre of the Pak armour for its intended deep thrust into the Indian territory. To deny Pak the use of Chak Amru as a Pivot, its capture at the earliest was vital for Indian Army for furthering its operations.

The 22 Punjab Battalion ex-39 Infantry Division was tasked to capture Chak Amru at the earliest, but not later than the first light on December 8, 1971. During reconnaissance, it came to light that Chak Amru was not only held strongly, but the area in the front and on the flanks was heavily mined. The 22 Punjab planned the capture of Chak Amru in two phases. In Phase 1, B Company under command Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal was to breach through the enemy defenses by midnight on December 7/8, 1971, and provide a secure launch pad for A Company, supported by a troop of tanks, to assault the objective in Phase 2. But Phase 2 never commenced for the Punjabis of B Company. 

Under its dynamic commander, Major Jaswal, it did the rush job in Phase 1 itself, although at a heavy cost. Its company commander laid down his life in the best traditions of the Indian Army but not before Chak Amru was in the firm grip of his company. It was during accomplishment of this daring task that Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal, for his inspiring leadership and unmatched personal gallantry, was awarded the Vir Chakra, posthumously.  

Major Gurdev Singh, Vr C, is survived by his wife and two sons. His family is now settled at the Military Station Beas, midway between Jalandhar and Amritsar.

The battle account of his conspicuous bravery, recorded in the Digest of Service of 22 Punjab, reads: “During the 1971 India-Pakistan war in Western Theatre, Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal was commanding a rifle company. His battalion 22 Punjab was ordered to capture the enemy position based on Chak Amru railway station in Shakargarh Sector. B Company, under Major Jaswal, was to spearhead the attack on December 7/8 night. He led the assault through the tactical 600-yard deep minefield. Because of the swift and daring assault led by him, the enemy was taken by complete surprise and was routed. During re-organisation, his company came under accurate and intense medium machine gun and artillery fire. Despite the sweeping fire by the enemy, Major Jaswal moved from trench-to-trench and encouraged his men to hold firm. In the process, he was grievously injured by an enemy medium machine gun burst. He, however, refused evacuation and kept directing his platoon commanders till the company was successfully re-organised on the captured objective. Soon thereafter, Major Jaswal was evacuated to the Advance Dressing Station where he breathed his last due to excessive loss of blood. 

Throughout the operation, Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order, for which he was awarded the Vir Chakra, posthumously.”

The battle account of his conspicuous act of bravery reads...

“During the 1971 India-Pakistan war in Western Theatre, Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal was commanding a rifle company. His battalion 22 Punjab was ordered to capture the enemy position based on Chak Amru railway station in Shakargarh Sector. B Company, under Major Jaswal, was to spearhead the attack on December 7/8 night. He led the assault through the tactical 600-yard deep minefield. Because of the swift and daring assault led by him, the enemy was taken by complete surprise and was routed. During re-organisation, his company came under accurate and intense medium machine gun and artillery fire. Despite the sweeping fire by the enemy, Major Jaswal moved from trench-to-trench and encouraged his men to hold firm. In the process, he was grievously injured by an enemy medium machine gun burst. He, however, refused evacuation and kept directing his platoon commanders till the company was successfully re-organised on the captured objective. Soon thereafter, Major Jaswal was evacuated to the Advance Dressing Station where he breathed his last due to excessive loss of blood. Throughout the operation, Major Gurdev Singh Jaswal displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order, for which he was awarded the Vir Chakra, posthumously.”