‘He went like a soldier’: Lt Col SDS Jamwal, hero of Zojila and veteran of multiple wars, passes away at 100

The nation mourns the passing of Lt Colonel Sharak Dev Singh Jamwal (Retd), a distinguished soldier whose life spanned a century of India’s military history and whose service left an indelible mark on the armed forces.

He passed away peacefully at the age of 100 at his house in Jammu. The prayer meet would be held on Monday between 3-4 pm at his house in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

Born on 13 August 1926 in Jammu, Lt Col Jamwal belonged to a rare generation of officers who served both the British Indian Army and the Indian Army in its formative years. Commissioned into the 7th Light Cavalry in 1946, he began his career during the closing phases of the Second World War and saw early action in the Burma Campaign, where he quickly established himself as an officer of grit and promise.

His grandson, Harshvardhan Jamwal, said the veteran “lived his life with his head high and went peacefully like a soldier”.

Over the decades, Lt Col Jamwal became a steadfast presence on several critical battlefronts. He fought with distinction in the 1947–48 Indo-Pak War, played a role in the Liberation of Goa in 1961, and later served with courage during the Sino-Indian War of 1962, operating in some of the most challenging terrains of the eastern sector.

But it was during the Indo-Pak War of 1947–48 that Lt Col Jamwal etched his name into military legend. As Squadron Commander of C Squadron, 7 Cavalry, he spearheaded the unprecedented induction of tanks across the treacherous Zojila Pass, defying impossible terrain, adverse weather and enemy fire. This daring operation enabled the recapture of Zojila and contributed significantly to the relief of the besieged Ladakh region.

The feat is still considered one of the boldest high-altitude armoured actions in Indian military history—at a time when tanks had never before operated at such elevations.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Lt Col Jamwal exemplified steadfast leadership, integrity and devotion to duty. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy—one of courage, resilience and unwavering patriotism—will continue to inspire generations of soldiers.

In August, the Army’s Tiger Division had celebrated the 100th birthday of Lt Colonel Jamwal. They had orginised a solemn and dignified ceremony in Jammu to recognise his exemplary service and contribution to the nation.