Col M K Gahatraj (Retd), war veteran, wounded in Barsala while laying mine field

Strategic Importance of Chhamb Sector  – Jammu-Akhnur-Palanwala-Chhamb Sector 

CHHAMB DAY 71-5th Battalion the Assam Regiment, Battle of Chhamb 1971: Remembering with prayers of thanks-giving, the indomitable spirit of 5th Battalion the Assam Regiment (Fighting Fifth) a memorable Chhamb- 71 Day.

The top ones are the surviving members of the epic battle. From left Capt YB Thapa, Lt Col MS Sharawat, Maj Gen Prem Puri, Col MK Gahatraj, Col Rathore, Capt Hmingdailova Khiangte, IPS, Cabinet Secy.

It is a day to reflect upon 5 Days of hard fought Battle of Chhamb from 3rd Dec to 7th Dec 1971 under the valiant command of Lt Col AS Malhi efficiently supported by cool & brave 2IC, Maj SK Hatwal, the indomitable, super efficient, ever-cool-in crisis-cheerful War Adjutant, Capt SR Das with Capt RS Rathore as Mor platoon Commander & 2/Lt SK Tiwari as the IO.

5 Assam Officers 1 Jan 1973, the first Raising Day after the 1971 war.

Let’s remember the dodgedly fought battle in Barsala under Maj Prem Puri & the rarest of rare bravery of Capt Kalyan Singh Rathod in Northern platoon of Barsala, surrounded by enemy but going down with all guns blazing; hand to hand battle in Ghogi under Maj JBS Makin who was killed by a burst of LMG on his chest while defending the coy locality, the indomitable Capt Cool Hmingdailova Khiangte, the anti tank commander who transformed into a seasoned C Coy Commander in Point 951 on 4th morning, fighting a hard battle besides personally knocking down an enemy tank with RCL Gun; the lightening daredevilery counter attack on Ghogi by A Coy under super-charged Maj MS Sharawat from Singri Coy while 2/Lt Oliver Wilson was martyred as a price of this victory; hardfought hand to hand battle in Burejal post where Capt GR Singh’s last order to his boys was Fix Bayonet soon after succumbing to multiple bullets on his body as well as Sep Madan Chandra Ray, all of 17 years then, receiving 15 bullets and a year as PW, yet lived to tell the tale; dare devilery of 2/Lt YB Thapa in Dalla post sustaining multiple shell splinters yet holding and magical, tactical withdrawal across minefield by boys of Bokan Post under 2/Lt BK Nair. Lets not forget the supreme sacrifice of Maj Ashok Suri, killed by enemy air straffing on Tawi Bridge while leading a convoy of Amn & supplies to the embatalled battalion.

Let’s remember the hard-fought battle of Chhamb that earned the richly deserved “Battle Honour Chhamb-71” for 5 Assam and pray for the souls of 5 officers & 19 Rhino Jawans who never returned from the battle field and the void they created in their bereived families and the Fighting Fifth family. It is a solmn day to honour the braves, refelect, remember their glorious, once in a life time Battle fought by real life heroes. Let’s pray for those 24 bravest of braves who laid down their lives for the glory of Bharat Mata.

Cadet Sergeant MK Gahatraj receiving Bronze Medal from Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, for 2nd in order of Merit in Army Cadet College, Pune, Dec 1968.

TAGRA RAHO! JAI HIND!

The author, today!

The Assam Regiment that represents the Warrior Prowess of the Northeast. The Fifth Battalion put up a valiant fight in the battlefield of  CHHAMB in 1971 winning the Battle Honour CHHAMB and Theatre Honour J&K 1971.  The Fifth Battalion is the only Infantry Battalion to have been awarded this Battle Honour for unparalleled valour and sacrifice in this sector.