Service No: IC-13158
Date of Birth : Apr 10, 1941
Place of Birth : Multan(Pak)
Service: Army
Last Rank: Major
Unit : 5 Sikh
Arm/Regt : The Sikh Regiment
Operation : Op Cactus Lily
Date of Martyrdom : 05 Dec 1971
Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu VrC
Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu was born on 10th April 1941 in Multan of present-day Pakistan and later his family got settled in Jullundur, Punjab. Son of an Army veteran Lt Col Gurdial Singh, Maj Devinderjit Singh Pannu joined the Army on 10 June 1962 at the age of 21 years. He was commissioned into 5 Sikh of the Sikh Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its intrepid soldiers and scores of battle honours.
By 1971, Maj Pannu had put in about 9 years of service and gathered substantial experience in various challenging operations. Son of an Army officer, Maj Pannu was a soldier at heart and soon evolved into a no-nonsense and committed soldier. As the tensions with Pakistan escalated in 1971, his battalion 5 Sikh was deployed in the Chhamb-Jaurian sector of J & K.
Indo-Pak War: 4 /5th Dec 1971
The Indo-Pak war of 1971 officially commenced on 03 Dec 1971 when the Pakistani Air Force attacked various air fields of the IAF. Within hours after the air attack Pakistan’s 23 Division opened Artillery fire with all its nine Regiments along a 30-40 Kms front in the Chhamb sector. Soon therafter a well-coordinated attack with armour was launched on 191 Brigade, which was the only Brigade of 10 Division of Indian Army defending the area west of the Munawar Tawi river at that time. 5 Sikh battalion commanded by Lt Col Prem Khanna was part of the 191 Brigade and was given the task of blunting the Pakistani attack. Maj Devinderjit Singh Pannu was commanding one of the companies of the battalion and was given the responsibility of defending one of the important approaches to the sector.
Maj Pannu’s company was occupying a key position for the defence of Chhamb, when the enemy launched an attack on night of 04 December 1971. Maj Pannu immediately rushed to one of his platoons occupying a screen position at the border outpost and held out against the enemy attack. The attack continued throughout that night and thereafter for sixteen hours but Maj Pannu held on gallantly along with his troops and thwarted enemy’s advance. He then withdrew to his main position where his company faced valiantly the battalion strength attacks by the enemy for next two successive nights.
Maj Pannu repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms and artillery fire while moving from one locality to another, inspiring his men to repulse the enemy attack. However as the position was of strategic importance to the enemy, it launched another battalion attack on 5th morning, preceded by heavy artillery fire. Maj Pannu once again swung into action and ordered his soldiers to retaliate forcefully. He kept moving from trench to trench, motivating his men with the war cry of the Regiment, “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” meaning, “one will be blessed eternally who says that God is the ultimate”. However, while doing so, Maj Pannu got hit by a shell and was martyred. Maj Pannu displayed grit, determination, and leadership skills of a very high order during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation.
Maj Devinderjit Singh Pannu was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, unyielding fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice.
The Citation of Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu was commanding a company of Sikh Regiment occupying a key position for the defence of Chhamb when the enemy launched an attack on night of December 1971. Major Pannu immediately rushed to one of his platoons occupying a screen position at a border outpost and held out against heavy pressure throughout that night and thereafter for sixteen hours while the position had virtually been surrounded. He then withdrew to his main position where his company was subjected to battalion-strength attacks by the enemy on two successive nights.
Major Pannu repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms and artillery fire while moving from one locality to another, inspiring his men to beat back the enemy. Realizing the importance of this position, the enemy launched another battalion attack on 5th morning preceded by heavy artillery fire. While moving from trench to trench, encouraging his men, Major Pannu was mortally wounded by a shell and died at his post.
Throughout, Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu displayed gallantry, determination, and leadership of a high order.
Profile Maintenance
This profile is currently being maintained by Honourpoint.in. However, we would invite the family members, unit/formation or former colleagues of this brave soldier to contribute additional information and maintain this memorial site as well, thereby assisting us in our endeavour to spread awareness about this great Indian and inspire future generations.
Contribute
- If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
Source
Disclaimer
Honourpoint.intakes utmost precaution towards factual correctness of the uploaded data and makes sure that the data is from a credible source. However, we do not take responsibility for authenticity of the content and Honourpoint.inor any of its members cannot be held responsible for any misappropriation of the uploaded content.
Harmohinderjit Singh Pannu.
2021at2:56 pmThe Army could have put no better men together to defend such an crucial front than Alpha Company of 5 Sikh under the command of Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu. They held blunted and discouraged the enemy advance and exhausted their resources. The ultimate sacrifice of those who laid down their lives in the battle ground of Chhamb will never be forgotten.
As his youngest brother I admired the way he lived his life always in full measure.
Maj Gen Kulpreet Singh (Retd)
2021at3:35 pmMaj Pannu has been an exceptionally brave officer and a source of inspiration to all the youngsters. We Old Sanawarians are proud of his legacy and he shall continue to inspire us all.
Rajiv Bopiah
2021at3:38 pmProud to know the family
P K SONDHI
2021at5:03 pmSalute and respects for Maj Davinderjit Pannu
Col NS Pannu
2021at5:16 pmA very well compiled narration and highly appreciate your effort to put the deeds of valour on a platform that can be viewed by all.
It is believed that the stubborn resistance of Maj Pannu’s company upset the time plan of Pakistan’s offensive. They had to change the direction of their thrust thus giving us time to redeploy our troops.
Naveen Kohli
2021at8:45 pmHe was a school mate and I am proud of his exemplary display of courage. He lived by our school motto “ Never Give In “ and gave up his life for his country.
K. A. Kuttaiah
2021at4:56 amGallant amongst the most gallant and will inspire generations to come. God Bless
K. A. Kuttaiah
2021at4:58 amInspirational. God Bless
Kartik Sharma
2022at10:26 amThe memorial pannu chowk named after the brave Maj DS pannu in Akhnoor. Proud for being the part of akhnoor and honoured to visit that chowk frequently. Thank u soldier
Lokinder singh verma
2022at1:42 pm5 sikh itself is one of the finest battalion of the indian Army and on top of that you have such committed leadership as that of Maj.D.S.Pannu vrc whoes daring committment is not to step back but fight to the last till victory is yours . Valliant soldiers of Alpha company under determined leadership recaptured point 303 at a great self sacrifice and Maj. D.S. pannu was martyred capturing the post against all odds . It gives me great pleasure to know the family of brave Pannu clan since over 60 years .