1965 War Hero Captain Chander Singh’s Family Donates Medals To Garhwal Rifles Regiment
Late Captain Chander Singh's brother Sukhdev singh presents his brother's medals to Lieutenant General DS Rana. Image courtesy: PIB
To mark the 60th death anniversary of Captain Chander Narain Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for bravery during the 1965 India–Pakistan War, his family has donated his gallantry and service medals to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment. The ceremony took place in Dharamsala and was attended by serving and retired personnel of the regiment.
Captain Singh, who hailed from Garhwal, had served in the Second Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, which is an elite infantry unit that also earned two Victoria Crosses during the First World War.
Why was Captain Chander Narain Singh awarded the Maha Vir Chakra?
Captain Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, for exceptional bravery and leadership in the Poonch Sector. On August 5, 1965, while attached to the Headquarters of the 120 Infantry Brigade, he led a patrol to verify reports of over 100 enemy infiltrators in the high-altitude region.
His team came under intense fire and grenade attacks. Despite being outnumbered, Captain Singh led a night assault that killed six enemy soldiers and injured several more. Though wounded in the head during the counterattack, he refused evacuation and continued to command his troops until he succumbed to his injuries.
How was the officer honoured at the ceremony?
At the commemorative event, Sukhdev Singh, Captain Singh’s brother, handed over the medals to Lieutenant General DS Rana, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command and Colonel of the Garhwal Rifles and Garhwal Scouts. Lt Gen Rana described Captain Singh as “a true symbol of bravery, leadership and patriotism” and thanked the family for entrusting the Regiment with his medals.
The medals will be preserved and displayed at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand.
What is the significance of this gesture?
A defence spokesperson noted that such noble gestures by families of fallen heroes are deeply valued, as they ensure that the legacy of supreme sacrifice remains etched in the collective memory of the nation.
