PARAM VIR CHAKRA , Lt Col AB Tarapore

Lt Col AB Tarapore

Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was born on 18 August 1923 in Bombay , Maharashtra . He joined the Hyderabad State Force in 1942 and saw active service in West Asia during World War-II. He was commissioned in Poona Horse on 01 April 1951. The biggest tank battle of the 1965 Indo-Pak War took place at Phillora in the Sialkot sector. During the southern thrust of the Indian Army on the Kaloi-Phillora axis the 17 Horse commanded by Lt. Col. A B Tarapore advanced on the right flank. On 11 September 1965, the regiment was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora. It decided upon launching a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear.


To achieve the surprise, when the regiment was thrusting forward between Phillora and Chawinda, it was suddenly counter-attacked by the enemy's heavy armour from Wazirali. Lt. Col. A B Tarapore defied the enemy's charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an Infantry battalion. Tho gh under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, he remained unperturbed throughout this action. When wounded, he refused to be evacuated. On 14 September 1965, he led his regiment to capture Wazirali. Unmindful of his injury, he again led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September 1965. In this battle his own tank was hit several times. But despite the odds, he maintained his pivots at both these places and thereby helped the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear. Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy armour and destroyed approximately sixty enemy tanks, suffering only nine tank casualties. However, Lt. Colonel A B Tarapore tank was in flames and he died a hero's death. The valour displayed by him in this action, lasting 6 days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was awarded with the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

CITATION  

LIEUTENANT COLONEL A.B TARAPORE,  

POONA HORSE (17 HORSE) (IC-5565)  

On 11 September 1965, the Poona Horse Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora in the Sialkot Sector in Pakistan .  As a preliminary to making a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear, the regiment was thrusting between Philloira and Chawinda when it was suddenly counter attacked by the enemy’s heavy Armour from Wazirali.  Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Tarapore who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy’s charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Philloira with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion.  Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel  A B Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action and when wounded refused to be evacuated.
On 14 September 1965, though still wounded he again led his regiment to capture Wazirali.  Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury, he again gallantly led regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September.  His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.

Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at a cost of only 9 tank casualties, and when lieutenant Colonel A. B Tara pore was mortally wounded the regiment continue to defy the enemy. The valour displayed by lieutenant Colonel A.B. Tarapore in this heroic action, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

COURTESY: INDIAN ARMY; www.indianarmy.nic.in

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Nirmal Jit Singh, Param Vir Chakra in Indian Air Force

Nirmal Jit Singh

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (17 July 1945 – 14 December 1971) was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a PAF air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be so honoured.

Early life 
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on 17 July 1945 in the village of ISEWAL DAKHA in Ludhiana District, Punjab. He was the son of M.W.O. (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant Tarlok Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1967 as a Pilot Officer.

Citation
The Param Vir Chakra citation reads as follows:

CITATION
FG OFFR NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON
18 SQUADRON 10877 F(P)
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks. From the very outbreak of the hostilities he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination, maintaining the high reputation of the Gnat aircraft. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of enemy Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time. Immediately, however, no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead, and they began bombing and strafing the airfield. In spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during the attack, Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensued, he secured hits on one aircraft and damaged another. By this time the other Sabre aircraft came to the aid of their hard-pressed companions and Flying Officer Sekhon's Gnat was again outnumbered, this time by four to one.

Even though alone, Flying Officer Sekhon engaged the enemy in an unequal combat. In the fight that followed, at treetop height, he almost held his own, but was eventually overcome by the sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft was shot down by a gunfire of one of the Sabres and he was killed.

The sublime heroism, supreme gallantry, flying skill and determination above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon in the face of certain death have set new heights in Air Force traditions.

COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA

 TV series, Param Vir Chakra (1990) was based on him.

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Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, Param Vir Chakra

        Manoj Piru Singh


Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, PVC(20 May 1918 – 18 July 1948) was a soldier in the British Indian Army. He died in service during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy.


Biography

Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was born on 20 May 1918 in Jhunjhunu Rajasthan in a great Rajput military family having a long tradition of service in the Rajputana Rifles. He was the youngest son of Subedar Bhanu Singh of 4 Rajputana Rifles (1895-1920) who was a veteran of First World War and grandson of Naib Subedar Chhelu Singh of 125th Napier's Rifles who served from 1873-1902, and great-grandson of Havildar Major Partap Singh, who served in the same regiment between 1847 and 1875. His son born in 1940 later went on to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army in 1961 in Dogra Regiment and retired as a Major General in 1996. Piru Singh Shekhawat was enrolled in the 6 Rajputana Rifles on 20 May 1936. During the Jammu & Kashmir operations in summer of 1948, Pakistani raiders mounted a strong counter offensive in the Tithwal sector. The enemy also forced the Indian Army to vacate their forward positions across river Kishanganga. After the setback, Indian troops took position on the Tithwal ridge. At this juncture, 6 Rajputana Rifles was moved from Uri to Tithwal to strengthen the 163 Bde in its impending offensive in the sector. The Indian offensive commenced on 11 July 1948. The operation went on well till July 15. The reconnaissance reports, however, revealed that the enemy was holding a high feature in the area and that its capture was essential for making any further progress. Further ahead lay another feature also held in strength by the enemy.

The 6 Rajputana Rifles was assigned the task of securing these two features. The ‘D’ Company was to secure the first feature. The ‘C’ Company was to capture the second feature after the ‘D’ Company had carried out its task. The ‘D’ Company launched its attack on the objective at 0130 hrs on July 18. The path to the objective was about one metre wide with deep ravines on either side. Overlooking this narrow path were the hidden enemy bunkers. The company was subjected to heavy fire and with half an hour it suffered 51 casualties. During this battle, CHM Piru Singh was with the leading section of the company, more than half of which was mowed down by the devastating fire of the enemy. He rushed forward to deal with the enemy medium machine gun post, which was playing havoc with his troops. Enemy grenade splinters ripped open his clothes and wounded several parts of his body. But this did not deter him. He still continued the advance, shouting the battle cry, “Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai”. Rushing forward he bayoneted the crew of the enemy MMG, with his own sten gun, silenced the menacing gun and occupied the post. By this time all his companions lay behind either dead or wounded.

The responsibility of clearing the enemy from the hill feature lay with him alone. Bleeding profusely he inched forward to attack the second enemy MMG post. At this juncture a grenade wounded him in the face. The blood dripping from his face almost blinded him. By now all the sten gun ammunition with him had been spent. He courageously crawled out of the occupied enemy trench and hurled grenades at the next enemy post. CHM Piru Singh then jumped into another trench and bayoneted two enemy soldiers to death. As CHM Piru Singh, emerged from the second trench to charge on the third enemy bunker, he was hit in head by a bullet and was seen dropping on the edge of the enemy trench. There was an explosion in the trench, which showed that the grenade had done its work. By then CHM Piru Singh’s wound had proved fatal. “He paid with his life for his singularity brave act, but he left for the rest of his comrades a unique example of single-handed bravery and determined cold courage. The country is grateful,” wrote Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Mrs. Tarawati, 75-year old mother of Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, “for this sacrifice made in the service of the Motherland, and it is our prayer that this may give you some peace and solace.” Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

CITATION

COMPANY HAVILDAR MAJOR PIRU SINGH

6th BATTALION THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES (NO 2831592)

South of Tithwal, ‘D’ Company, of which No 2831592 Piru Singh, was Havildar Major was detailed to attack and capture an enemy occupied hill feature. The enemy had well dug in positions and had sited his MMGs so as to cover all possible approaches. As the attack advanced, it was met with heavy MMG fire from both flanks. Volleys of grenades were hurled down from enemy bunkers. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was then with the forward most Section of the company.

Seeing more than half of the Section killed or wounded, he did not lose courage. With battle cries he encouraged the remaining men and rushed forward with great determination onto the nearest enemy MMG position. Grenade splinters ripping his clothes and wounding him at several places, he continued to advance without the least regard for his safety. He was on top of the MMG position wounding the gun crew with Sten gun fire. With complete disregard to his bleeding wounds he made a mad jump on the MMG crew bayoneting them to death, thus silencing the gun.

By then he suddenly realized that he was the sole survivor of the section, the rest of them either dead or wounded. Another grenade thrown at him wounded him in the face. With blood dripping from his face wounds in his eyes, he crawled out of the trench, hurling grenades at the next enemy position.

COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA

 TV series, Param Vir Chakra (1990) was based on him.

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Dhan Singh Thapa, Param Vir Chakra

Dhan Singh Thapa

Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa PVC  (April 10, 1928 – September 5, 2005) was an Indian Army major in 1st Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles Regiment. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration.

Biography

Dhan Singh Thapa was born to P. S. Thapa at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh from Nepali parents. He was commissioned into the 8th Gurkha Rifles on 28 August 1949.

He was involved in a major action at Ladakh during the Sino-Indian War. The Sirijap valley, north of Pangong Lake in Ladakh, was considered vital for the defence of Chushul airfield. The 1/8 Gurkha Rifles had outposts there to thwart any Chinese encroachment in the area. One of these outposts named Sirijap-1 was held by a platoon of 'C' Company under the command of Major Thapa when the Chinese attacked on 20 October 1962.

At 06:00 on 20 October 1962, the Chinese opened a barrage of artillery and mortar fire over Sirijap-1 post. The shelling continued till 08:30 and the whole area was set ablaze. Some shells fell on the command post and damaged the wireless set. This put the post out of communication. The Chinese then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Major Thapa and his men repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties. The Chinese mounted another attack in greater numbers after shelling the area with artillery and mortar fire.

Major Thapa once again repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses on the Chinese. A short while later, a third Chinese attack included tanks in support of the infantry. The defenders were weakened by the casualties suffered in earlier attacks, but held out while the ammunition lasted. When the Chinese finally overran the post, Major Thapa jumped out of his trench and killed many intruders in hand-to-hand fighting. He was eventually overpowered and captured. he become major after the war.

For his gallant act, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra. He was believed to have been killed in this engagement, and the original citation reflects this.

He was later discovered to have been taken prisoner and after his release from the POW camp, he resumed his military career. He retired as Lieutenant-Colonel.

CITATION

MAJOR DHAN SINGH THAPA

1/8 GORKHA RIFLES (IC-7990)

Major Dhan Singh Thapa was in command of a forward post in Ladakh. On 20 October it was attacked by the Chinese in overwhelming strength after being subjected to intensive artillery and mortar bombardment. Under his gallant command, the greatly outnumbered post repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the aggressors. The enemy attacked again in greater numbers after heavy shelling by artillery and mortar fire Under the leadership of Major Thapa, his men repulsed this attack also with heavy losses to the enemy.

The Chinese attacked for the third time, now with tanks to support the infantry. The post had already suffered large numbers of casualties in the earlier two attacks. Though considerably reduced in number it held out to the last. When it was finally overrun by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, Major Thapa got out of his trench and killed several of the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting before he was finally overpowered by Chinese soldiers.

Major Thapa’s cool courage, conspicuous fighting qualities and leadership were in the highest traditions of our Army.

COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA

 TV series, Param Vir Chakra (1990) was based on him.

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Naik Jadu Nath Singh, Param Vir Chakra

Naik Jadu Nath Singh, PVC was a soldier of Indian Army who fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 in Jammu & Kashmir. He died in the battle and was later awarded with the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the War. He was the fourth recipientof Param Vir Chakra.


Personal life
Naik Jadu Nath Singh, a Rathore Rajput, was born on 21 November 1916 in Hathoura Bujurg Village in Shahjahanpur district Uttar Pradesh. He was enrolled in the 1 Rajput (now 4 Guards (1 Rajput))on 21 November 1941.

During War
During the Jammu & Kashmir operations in the winter of 1947, the capture of Jhangar on 24 December, by the Pakistani raiders, placed them in an advantageous position in the Naushahra sector. Being in full command of the communication lines from Mirpur to Poonch, they could now build up their forces for attack on Naushahra. The Army was alive to this threat. In January 1948, they conducted operations to prevent the enemy build up in the area and in the process occupied Kot village to the Northwest of Naushahra. In any case an attack on Naushahra was imminent. Brigadier Usman of the 50 Para Brigade had made adequate preparation to thwart this attack by establishing strong pickets on possible enemy approaches. One of these approaches lay to the north of Naushahra through Tain dhar.

The expected enemy attack came on the foggy morning of 6 February, at 0640 hrs. The enemy started the attack by opening fire from their pickets on the Taindhar ridge on an Indian patrol. Simultaneously, the whole of Tain dhar and the surrounding hills became live with bursts of machine gun and crunches of mortar fire. Meanwhile under the cover of darkness the enemy crept up to the Indian pickets. In the first light of dawn the men on the post saw thousands of hostiles creeping up to them. On the crucial day of 6 February, Naik Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward post of picket No.2 at Taindhar. 9 men garrisoned the post.

The enemy launched their attack in successive waves to take this post. At this juncture Naik Jadunath Singh displayed great valour & superb leadership and used his small force in such a manner that the enemy retreated in utter confusion. When four of his men were wounded he re-organised the battered force for meeting another onslaught. The post did not give in despite its being outnumbered. When all men including him were wounded, he personally took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren-gunner. The enemy was now right on the walls of the post. Naik Jadunath Singh, unmindful of personal safety encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating that what looked like a certain defeat was turned into a victory. Thus the post was saved a second time.

By now all men of the post had turned into casualties. The enemy put in his third and final attack determined to capture the post. Naik Jadunath Singh, wounded and alone, rose to give a battle for the third time. He came out of the Sangar and firing his sten gun charged on the advancing enemy. The surprised enemy fled in disorder. He met a gallant death, in this third and last charge, when two enemy bullets pierced him in the head and the chest. At a most critical stage in the battle for the defence of Naushahra, he saved his picket from being overrun by the enemy. Naik Jadunath Singh was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

For this ultimate act of personal sacrifice for the sake of the nation, Naik Jadu Nath Singh was decorated with the nation's highest award of gallantry.

A sports stadium is named after him in his birthplace Hathoura Bujurg Shahjahanpur named as Paramvir Chakra Nayak Jadunath Singh Sports Stadium.

Citation

CITATION

NAIK JADUNATH SINGH

1 RAJPUT (NO 27373)

At No 2 picquet on Taindhar on 6 February 1948, No 27373 Naik Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward section post, which bore the full brunt of the enemy attack. Nine men against overwhelming odds garrisoned the little post. The enemy launched its attack in successive waves and with great ferocity to overcome this post. The first wave swept up to the post in a furious attack. Displaying great valour and superb qualities of leadership Naik Jadunath Singh so used the small force at his disposal that the enemy retired in utter confusion. Four of his men were wounded but Naik Jadunath Singh again showed his qualities of good leadership by reorganising the battered force under him, for meeting another onslaught. His coolness and courage were of such an order that the men rallied and were ready for the second attack which came with greater determination and in larger number than the preceding one. Though hopelessly outnumbered, this post under the gallant leadership of Naik Jadunath Singh resisted. All were wounded, and Naik Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, personally took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren gunner. The enemy was right on the walls of the post but Naik Jadunath Singh once again showed outstanding ability and valour of the highest order in action. By his complete disregard for his personal safety and example of coolness and courage, he encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating, that what looked like impending defeat was turned into a victory and the enemy retreated in chaos leaving the dead and wounded littered on the ground. With this act of supreme heroism and outstanding example of leadership and determination, Naik Jadunath Singh saved the post from the second assault. By this time, all men in the post were casualties. The enemy put in his third and final attack in undiminished numbers and determination to capture this post. Naik Jadunath Singh, now wounded, prepared literally single-handed to give battle for the third time. With great courage and determination, he came out of the sangar and finally with the Sten gun, made a most magnificent single-handed charge on the advancing enemy, who, completely taken by surprise, fled in disorder. Naik Jadunath Singh, however, met his gallant death in his third and last charge when two bullets hit him in the head and chest. Thus, charging single-handedly at the advancing enemy, this Non-Commissioned Officer, performed the highest act of gallantry and self-sacrifice and by so doing saved his section-nay, his whole picquet from being overrun by the enemy at the most critical stage in the battle for the defence of Nushera.

COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA

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Major Som Nath Sharma, Param Vir Chakra

Major Som Nath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in a Brahmin family at Dadh, Kangra Himachal Pradesh India. He is from military family. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, retired as Director, Medical Services (Army). His brother Lt. General Surindar Nath Sharma retired as Engineer-in-chief. His one more brother is  General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988–1990). His sister Major Kamla Tewari (Medical Doctor) also served in the defence forces. He joined Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehra Dun and later the Royal Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army on 22 February 1942.  He was involved during the second World War in the Arakan Operations.



Battle of Badgam

Somnath's company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. Even though, his right hand was in a plaster cast due to fracture sustained in hockey game, he insisted on being with his company in the battle area and was given permission to command his unit.

On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company (D Company of 4 Kumaon) was ordered to defend  Badgam Village in the Kashmir Valley. 500 raiders approached Badgam from the direction of Gulmarg and attacked the Indian army from three sides. Indian army sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing mortar bombardment. It was outnumbered by seven to one,  Sharma urged his company to fight bravely, and ran from post to post to help as well as motivate his men. Major Sharma took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine guns. His last message to Brigade HQ  was: "The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round."  While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him.

By the time the relief company of 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. However, the attackers suffered 200 casualties due to the spirited defence by Major Sharma and his soldiers and that slowed their forward movement. There was time for more Indian troops to land in Srinagar airfield and defend all routes to Srinagar with adequate strength. In this manner, Somnath Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar and arguably the Kashmir Valley.


The citation for the Param Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

CITATION
Maj Somnath Sharma

4 KUMANON (IC-521)

On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma’s company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam in the Kashmir Valley . He reached his objective at first light on 3 November and took up a position south of Badgam at 1100 hours. The enemy, estimated at about 500 attacked his company position from three sides; the company began to sustain heavy casualties.

Fully realizing the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both the aerodrome and Srinagar via Hum Hom, Major Somnath Sharma urged his company to fight the enemy tenaciously. With extreme bravery he kept rushing across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and accurate fire to urge them to hold on.

Keeping his nerve, he skillfully directed the fire of his sections into the ever-advancing enemy. He repeatedly exposed himself to the full fury of enemy fire and laid out cloth strips to guide our aircraft onto their targets in full view of the enemy.

Realising that casualties had affected the effectiveness of his light automatics, this officer whose left hand was in plaster, personally commenced filling magazines and issuing them to the light machine gunners. A mortar shell landed right in the middle of the ammunition resulting in an explosion that killed him.

Major Sharma’s company held on to list position and the remnants withdrew only when almost completely surrounded. His inspiring example resulted in the enemy being delayed for six hours, thus gaining time for our reinforcements to get into position at Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy advance.

His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defense were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy by seven to one, six hours after this gallant officer had been killed.

He has set an example of courage and qualities seldom equaled in the history of the Indian Army. His last message to the Brigade Headquarters a few moments before he was killed was, ‘the enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.’

COURTESY: http://guide-india.blogspot.in/

The first episode of the TV series, Param Vir Chakra (1990) was based on him.

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अब्दुल हमीद

वीर अब्दुल हमीद (अंग्रेज़ी: Abdul Hamid जन्म: 1 जुलाई, 1933 - मृत्यु: 10 सितम्बर, 1965) भारतीय सेना के प्रसिद्ध सिपाही थे जिन्होंने अपने सेवा काल में सैन्य सेवा मेडल, समर सेवा मेडल और रक्षा मेडल से सम्मान प्राप्त किया था। 1965 में भारत-पाकिस्तान युद्ध में असाधारण बहादुरी के लिए महावीर चक्र और परमवीर चक्र प्राप्त हुआ।



अब्दुल हमीद
अब्दुल हमीद का जन्म उत्तर प्रदेश में ग़ाज़ीपुर ज़िले के धरमपुर गांव के एक मुस्लिम दर्जी परिवार में 1 जुलाई, 1933 को हुआ। आजीविका के लिए कपड़ों की सिलाई का काम करने वाले मोहम्मद उस्मान के पुत्र अब्दुल हमीद की रूचि अपने इस पारिवारिक कार्य में बिलकुल नहीं थी। कुश्ती के दाँव पेंचों में रूचि रखने वाले पिता का प्रभाव अब्दुल हमीद पर भी था। लाठी चलाना, कुश्ती का अभ्यास करना, पानी से उफनती नदी को पार करना, गुलेल से निशाना लगाना एक ग्रामीण बालक के रूप में इन सभी क्षेत्रों में हमीद पारंगत थे। उनका एक बड़ा गुण था सबकी यथासंभव सहायता करने को तत्पर रहना। किसी अन्याय को सहन करना उनको नहीं भाता था। यही कारण है कि एक बार जब किसी ग़रीब किसान की फसल बलपूर्वक काटकर ले जाने के लिए जमींदार के 50 के लगभग गुंडे उस किसान के खेत पर पहुंचे तो हमीद ने उनको ललकारा और उनको बिना अपना मन्तव्य पूरा किये ही लौटना पड़ा। इसी प्रकार बाढ़ प्रभावित गाँव की नदी में डूबती दो युवतियों के प्राण बचाकर अपने अदम्य साहस का परिचय दिया।

सेना में भर्ती
21 वर्ष के अब्दुल हमीद जीवन यापन के लिए रेलवे में भर्ती होने के लिए गये परन्तु उनके संस्कार उन्हें प्रेरित कर रहे थे, सेना में भर्ती होकर देश सेवा के लिए। अतः उन्होंने एक सैनिक के रूप में 1954 में अपना कार्य प्रारम्भ किया। हमीद 27 दिसंबर, 1954 को ग्रेनेडियर्स इन्फैन्ट्री रेजिमेंट में शामिल किये गये थे। जम्मू काश्मीर में तैनात अब्दुल हमीद पाकिस्तान से आने वाले घुसपैठियों की खबर तो लेते हुए मजा चखाते रहते थे, ऐसे ही एक आतंकवादी डाकू इनायत अली को जब उन्होंने पकड़वाया तो प्रोत्साहन स्वरूप उनको प्रोन्नति देकर सेना में लांस नायक बना दिया गया। 1962 में जब चीन ने भारत की पीठ में छुरा भोंका तो अब्दुल हमीद उस समय नेफा में तैनात थे, उनको अपने अरमान पूरे करने का विशेष अवसर नहीं मिला। उनका अरमान था कोई विशेष पराक्रम दिखाते हुए शत्रु को मार गिराना।

भारत-पाकिस्तान युद्ध (1965)

Main.jpg मुख्य लेख : भारत-पाकिस्तान युद्ध (1965)
अधिक समय नहीं बीता और 1965 में पाकिस्तान ने भारत पर आक्रमण कर दिया। अब्दुल हमीद को पुनः सुअवसर प्राप्त हुआ अपनी जन्मभूमि के प्रति अपना कर्तव्य निभाने का। मोर्चे पर जाने से पूर्व, उनके अपने भाई को कहे शब्द ‘पल्टन में उनकी बहुत इज्जत होती है जिन के पास कोई चक्र होता है, देखना झुन्नन हम जंग में लड़कर कोई न कोई चक्र जरूर लेकर लौटेंगे।” उनके स्वप्नों को अभिव्यक्त करते हैं। उनकी भविष्यवाणी पूर्ण हुई और 10 सितम्बर 1965 को जब पाकिस्तान की सेना अपने कुत्सित इरादों के साथ अमृतसर को घेर कर उसको अपने नियंत्रण में लेने को तैयार थी, अब्दुल हमीद ने पाक सेना को अपने अभेद्य पैटन टैंकों के साथ आगे बढ़ते देखा। अपने प्राणों की चिंता न करते हुए अब्दुल हमीद ने अपनी तोप युक्त जीप को टीले के समीप खड़ा किया और गोले बरसाते हुए शत्रु के तीन टैंक ध्वस्त कर डाले। पाक अधिकारी क्रोध और आश्चर्य में थे, उनके मिशन में बाधक अब्दुल हमीद पर उनकी नज़र पड़ी और उनको घेर कर गोलों की वर्षा प्रारम्भ कर दी। इससे पूर्व कि वो उनका एक और टैंक समाप्त कर पाते, दुश्मन की गोलाबारी से वो शहीद हो गये। अब्दुल हमीद का शौर्य और बलिदान ने सेना के शेष जवानों में जोश का संचार किया और दुश्मन को खदेड दिया गया।

शहादत पर नमन

32 वर्ष की आयु में ही अपने प्राणों को देश पर न्यौछावर करने वाले इस वीर को उसकी शहादत पर नमन किया जाता है। उन्होंने अपनी अद्भुत वीरता से पाकिस्तानी शत्रुओं के खतरनाक, कुत्सित इरादों को तो ध्वस्त करते हुए अपना नाम इतिहास में सदा के लिए स्वर्णाक्षरों में अंकित कराया साथ ही एक सन्देश भी दिया कि केवल साधनों के बलबूते युद्ध नहीं जीता जाता। अपने भाई से किया वायदा उन्होंने पूर्ण किया और मरणोपरांत उनको सबसे बड़े सैनिक सम्मान परमवीर चक्र से सम्मानित किया गया, जो उनकी पत्नी श्रीमती रसूली बीबी ने प्राप्त किया। इसके अतिरिक्त भी उनको समर सेवा पदक, सैन्य सेवा पदक और रक्षा पदक प्रदान किये गए।

सम्मान और पुरस्कार
28 जनवरी 2000 को भारतीय डाक विभाग द्वारा वीरता पुरस्कार विजेताओं के सम्मान में पांच डाक टिकटों के सेट में 3 रुपये का एक सचित्र डाक टिकट जारी किया गया। इस डाक टिकट पर रिकाईललेस राइफल से गोली चलाते हुए जीप पर सवार वीर अब्दुल हामिद का रेखा चित्र उदाहरण की तरह बना हुआ है। चौथी ग्रेनेडियर्स ने अब्दुल हमीद की स्मृति में उनकी क़ब्र पर एक समाधि का निर्माण किया है। हर साल उनकी शहादत के दिन यहां पर मेले का आयोजन किया जाता है। उत्तर निवासी उनके नाम से गांव में एक डिस्पेंसरी, पुस्तकालय और स्कूल चलाते हैं। सैन्य डाक सेवा ने 10 सितंबर, 1979 को उनके सम्मान में एक विशेष आवरण जारी किया है

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