22356

L/Naik Karham Singh, MM

1st Sikh Regiment

Date of Action: 13 October 1948

Place of Action: Tithwal, Kashmir

Date and Place of Birth: 15 September 1915, Sehna village, Sangrur tehsil, Punjab, son of Uttam Singh

Enrolled: 15 September 1941

Retired:  As Subedar and Honorary Captain

CITATION

Tithwal in J&K was captured on 23 May 1948. After that date, the enemy made numerous attempts to recapture Richhmar Gali and thence Tithwal. On 13 October 1948, coinciding with Id, the enemy decided to launch a brigade attack to retake Richhmar Gali and bypassing Tithwal advance into the Srinagar Valley. L/Nk Karam Singh was commanding a section.

The enemy commenced his attack with heavy shelling of guns and mortars. The fire was so accurate that not a single bunker in the platoon locality was left unscathed.

Communications trenches caved in. Bravey, L/Nk Karam Singh went from bunker to bunker, giving succour to the wounded and urging the men to fight.

The enemy launched eight separate attacks that day. In one such attack, the enemy managed to obtain a foothold in the platoon locality. Immediately L/Nk Karam Singh, who was severely wounded by then, with a few men, hurled himself in a counter-attack and evicted the enemy after a close quarter encounter which accounted for many enemy dead, having been dispatched by the bayonet.

L/Nk Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless and born leader of men in crisis. Nothing could subdue him and no amount of fire or hardship could break his spirit.

His gallant actions on that day inspired his colleagues to face the massive onslaught unflinchingly. It was his fiercely proud spirit which was largely responsible for the gallant stand at Tithwal that day.

L/Nk Singh had previously been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Burma during WWII.  This joint PVC and MM award is unique.

A page on L/Nk Singh (Bharat Rakshak)