Jhajjar’s Balwan who hoisted Tricolour atop Tiger Hill

Col Dilbag Dabas (retd)

“Tiger Hill pe Tiranga fahrake ayenge, chahe kuchh bhi ho jaye (We will hoist Tricolour atop Tiger Hill, come what may),” was the resolve of Lt (now Colonel) Balwan Singh Panghal and his team before final assault on Tiger Hill.

A Haryanavi, Lt Panghal is a recipient of Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest military decoration, next only to Param Vir Chakra. A second-generation soldier, he was born on October 17, 1973, in Sasrauli village of Rohtak district (now in Jhajjar).

He grew up listening to stories of valour from his father Shobha Chand, a decorated soldier who served in 2 Jat Battalion of the Army. Since childhood, Lt Panghal knew he was destined to be a soldier. With initials at his village school, followed by Happy School in Rohtak, he did his senior secondary from Sainik School, Karnal.

After graduating from University College, Rohtak, Lt Panghal joined Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned in March 1999 into 18 Grenadiers, a renowned infantry Battalion with battle honours to its credit. With just four months into service, Kargil offered him an opportunity to display his valour — a God-sent opportunity he grabbed with both hands.

Lt Panghal, following the finest traditions among The Grenadiers, displayed raw courage, grit and determination during “Operation Vijay” (Kargil War) when he defied all possible odds and most gallantly led his team of Ghataks (daredevils) and hoisted Tricolour on the most formidable Tiger Hill, a feature till then was perceived as unassailable. For his dauntless courage and bravery in the face of the enemy, Lt Panghal was awarded Maha Vir Chakra.

Notwithstanding the magnificent performance of Lt Panghal during the Kargil War, the peace time tenure of Lt Balwan, now full Colonel, has been equally inspiring.

Col Balwan Singh has served in the United Nations mission in Sierra Leone in West Africa in 2001. He has also been an instructor in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and Group Testing Officer at Services Selection Board, Allahabad. After successfully commanding 18 Grenadiers, his own Battalion, at Gwalior and at Siachen Glacier, Col Balwan Singh is now serving as the Colonel General Staff at PH & HP Independent Sub Area Ambala.

Col Balwan Singh is deeply connected to his Haryanavi roots. While on leave, he often goes around the schools and colleges in his district and encourages the youth to opt for defence services. Like most villages in Haryana, the youth in Sasrauli opt for military not just as another profession but the best way to serve the nation. Col Balwan Singh remains a source of inspiration not only for Panghals of Sasrauli but also for the entire Indian young blood.

Battlefield account of capture of Tiger Hill by Lt Panghal and his chosen team of Ghataks, for which he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, obtained from the war diary of 18 Grenadiers, reads:

• On July 3, 1999, Lieutenant Balwan Singh with his Ghatak platoon was tasked to assault the ‘Tiger Hill Top’ from the North Eastern direction as part of a multi-pronged attack. The route to the objective situated at a height of 16,500 feet was snowbound and interspersed with crevasses and sheer falls.
• The officer, with just three months’ service, set about his task with single-minded determination. The team shortlisted and led by him, moved for over 12 hours under intense artillery shelling to reach the designated spur. This move took the enemy by complete surprise as his team used cliff assault mountaineering equipment to reach the top with stealth.
• On seeing the Ghataks, the enemy panicked and in desperation attempted to repulse the Ghataks. Though injured in the fight, Lt Balwan Singh’s resolve to finish the enemy remained unshaken. He refused to be evacuated and unmindful of his injury, moved swiftly to encircle the enemy and engaged them in close combat and single handedly killed four of the enemy. The remaining enemy personnel opted to flee rather than face the fury of the fierce officer.
• The officer’s inspirational leadership, conspicuous courage and bravery were instrumental in the capture of Tiger Hill, which was operationally one of the most important objectives in Drass sector. For this act of conspicuous bravery, Lt Balwan was awarded Maha Vir Chakra by then President KR Narayanan.

The writer is veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment