Naik Shish Pal Singh MVC

Naik Shishpal was born on 26 June 1920 in Bamla village in Bhiwani district of Haryana. Son of Chaudhry Sheo Lal Grewal, Naik Shishpal  had an athletic built and was a known wrestler in his tehsil. As there was no school in his village or nearby, he could not get formal education and joined the Army in the year 1940 at the age of 20 years. He was recruited into 2 Jat battalion of the Jat Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours.

Naik Shishpal followed his interest in wrestling after joining the Army too and won many laurels for the battalion in various wrestling competitions. But no one knew that in future he would bring bigger laurels for himself and his battalion.

Indo-Pak War : 09 Apr 1948

During the 1947-48 war with Pakistan, Naik Shishpal’s unit was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. At that time three Indian Army brigades were concentrated in the Jhangar Naushera defended sector; 19 Infantry brigade and 50 Para Brigade in Jhangar and King Brigade at Naushera. 19 Brigade comprised of 1 Rajput, 1 Kumaon Rifles and 4 Dogra; 50 Para brigade had 1 Patiala (Rajindra Sikh) Infantry, 3 Para (Maratha Light Infantry) and 3 Para (Rajput) under command and King Brigade was composed of 2nd battalion of Punjab Regiment, 2nd battalion of  Rajputana Rifles and 2nd Jat battalion (Mooltan). With Jhangar recaptured and Naushera secured, the Indian Army planned an advance on Rajauri in early April 1948. But the advance onto Rajauri was not possible unless the strong enemy positions on the Barwali ridge and Pt 3831 north and northeast of Naushera were not eliminated. 4 Dogra was tasked to capture the Barwali ridge, whereas 2 Jat was tasked to capture Pt 3831 to felicitate further advance towards Rajauri, the terminal objective.

Naik Shishpal Singh was Platoon Havildar of 4th platoon of ‘B’ Company which was ordered to lead an attack on 3831 on April, 9, 1948. During the initial stage of the attack, he was hit on the thigh by an enemy burst fire but refused evacuation. He just tied the wound with the first field dressing and continued to lead and inspire his men. When he noticed an enemy machine gun firing from a flank and causing casualties on his platoon, under intense fire from the enemy, Naik Shishpal crawled to it through undergrowth, seized the red hot barrel out and lobbed a grenade into the bunker, killing its crew. He then crawled back to his advancing platoon. When the platoon was within assaulting distance, he gave the battle cry “Jat Balwan” and with collective shout of “Jai Bhagwan”, the platoon charged onto the enemy bunkers with the bayonets drawn.

Naik Shishpal bayoneted three enemy soldiers but he too was bayoneted in the abdomen. His comrades saw him fall but they also heard his last order “Ra Jato, chadd jao post pe. Phahra do Tiranga mere maran tain pahlain”. The platoon inspired by his words fought with extraordinary courage and determination and eventually hoisted the Tricolour on Point 3831. Naik Shishpal later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred on 10 April 1948. The feature which now is an Indian post on the Line of Control, 9 km north-west of Naushera, is called ‘Rohtak’. Naik Shishpal  was a valiant soldier who laid down his life at the age of 27 years in the service of the nation. Naik Shishpal  was given the nation’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” for his exceptional bravery, fighting spirit, camaraderie and supreme sacrifice.