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.
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Born
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20 May 1918
Village Rampura Beri Jhunjhunu Rajasthan, India (then Rajputana) |
Died
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18 July 1948 (aged 30)
KIA at Tithwal, Kashmir |
Allegiance
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British Indian Empire
Republic of India |
Service/branch
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British Indian Army
Indian Army |
Years of service
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1936-1948
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Rank
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Company Havildar
Major
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Unit
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6 RAJ RIF
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Battles/wars
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Indo-Pakistani
War of 1947
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Awards
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Param Vir Chakra
|
CITATIONCOMPANY HAVILDAR MAJOR PIRU SINGH6th 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.
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.
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