Joginder Singh (soldier)

Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan, PVC (26 September 1921 – 23 October 1962), was an Indian Army soldier, and recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Singh was recruited into the First Battalion of Sikh Regiment. During 1962 Sino-Indian War, Subedar Singh was commanding a a platoon from the 1st Battalion of Sikh Regiment, at Bumla. The Indians were heavily outnumbered. Though being heavily outnumbered, Subedar Joginder Singh desperately led his in the face of enemy, and fought until the last moments. Subedar Singh was mortally wounded and captured. He later died in Chinese captivity.

Early life
Joginder Singh was born on 28 September 1921 in Mahakalan near Moga, Punjab. He spent his childhood in the same village. Due to the financial constraints of his family, Singh was not able to complete his education. He was motivated to join the Army, on feeling it would give him an "identity and purpose".

Military career
Singh was recruited in to the 1st Battalion of Sikh Regiment on 28 September 1936. After joining the Army, he was interested in education, soon he passed the Army Educations Examination, and was appointed as the Unit Education Instructor. He served in the Second World War on the Burma front, and in Srinagar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948.

Sino India War
Owing to the flat Tibetan plateau, the geographically benefited Chinese occupied most of the forward areas along the border towards Tibet. Even after continuous protests by India over China's intrusion, the Chinese troops continued to occupy several hundred square kilometers of India territory. As days passed, China enormously the number of garrisons and roads, to support its troops. To counter the Chinese, then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, asked for plans. However, plan proposed by Indian Army was rejected. Instead, he approved the plan called the "Forward Policy", which was proposed by a civilian official from the Intelligence Bureau. The plan was to establish a number of small posts facing the Chinese. Due the severe rise in public criticism against Chinese intrusions, Nehru implemented the "Forward Policy" against the Army's advice. The Army's concern was that the Chinese had geographical advantage, and also maintaining numerous small posts would be untenable if the Chinese superior forces attack. This was ruled by Nehru, who felt that whatever may the case, the Chinese wouldn't attack. But the Chinese did, and the war began.

Battle at Bumla
With the growing escalations of Chinese intrusion into the Indian territory, on 9 September 1962, then Defence Minister of India Krishna Menon made a decision to evict the Chinese troops south of Thala ridge. This decision was endorsed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was in London to attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference. Subsequently, 7th Infantry Brigade was ordered to move to Namka Chu, which was considered as militarily unsound and an advantageous ground for the Chinese. This move was extremely criticized by the Indian media, who publicized it with "sensational headlines" and arguing India's military offensive capability.

The Chinese getting aware of these developments, attacked the unprepared Indian post at Namka Chu. Though the Indian troops resisted the attack, heavy casualties had been suffered owning to inadequate ammunition, weak communication lines etc. Soon after the attack, the Chinese forwarded to Tawang. Midway they encountered an Indian post at Bumla, held by a platoon of 20 men from the 1st Battalion of Sikh Regiment. The post was under the command of Subedar Joginder Singh. The Chinese attacked the post in three waver, each comprising 200 men. However, the initial attack wave by the Chinese was repelled. By the end of the first wave, the platoon depleted to half of its strength. Singh was also wounded, but refused evacuation. Soon the ammunition exhausted, and the survivors are only left with their bayonets.

Unmindful of their safety, the Indian soldiers charged towards the Chinese, shouting the war cry Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The Chinese lines were scattered on this sight, and many of them became victims to the bayonets. Due to heavy numbers and superior weapons, the Chinese were able to sustain the last charge by the Singh and his soldiers. Before Singh was overpowered and captured by the Chinese, he single-handedly killed fifty enemy soldiers with his bayonet. He later succumbed to his injuries and died in Chinese captivity.

Param Vir Chakra
Though being heavily outnumbered, Subedar Joginder Singh desperately led his in the face of enemy, and fought until the last moments. For his gallantry actions on 23 October 1962, Subedar Joginder Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The citation reads:

Singh was survived by his wife, Gurdial Kaur, and three children. On hearing the news of Singh's death, his elder daughter died. The Chinese sent his ashes with full military honours to the battalion on 17 May 1963. The urn was later brought to Sikh Regimental Centre at Meerut, was eventually handed over to his wife.

Other honours
In the 1980s, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), a Government of India enterprise under the aegis of the Ministry of Shipping, named fifteen of its crude oil tankers in honour of the PVC recipients. The tanker MT Subedar Joginder Singh, PVC was delivered to SCI in 1984, and served for 25 years before being phased out. In Singh's honour, a memorial statue has been built near the District Collector’s office in Moga, and a monument has been built at IB ridge by the Indian Army.

In popular culture
A biopic is being made on Singh's life and his action during Sino-Indian War. The lead role is being played by Punjabi actor-singer Gippy Grewal.