“Hanuman Bhagat Bal Brahmachari”
Naik Jadunath Singh,the Brahmacharya also the devotee of Lord Hanuman was born in the village of Shahjahanpur, UP who was one of the 21 brave hearts who have been honoured with India’s highest gallantry,the Param Vir Chakra for his action in Indo Pak war 1947. Jadunath Singh’s outstanding leadership lead to the victory over the raiders in Naushera. He was posted in 7th Rajput Regiment,but post independence he was shifted to 1st Rajput Regiment.
The 1st Rajput was the part of the 50th Para Brigade under the command of Brigadier Mohammad Usmaan in the Naushera sector. In October 1947, following an offensive by the Pakistani raiders in Jammu and Kashmir ,the Army planned several operations to drive out the raiders as directed. In one such operation, the 50th Para Brigade, to which the 1st Rajput Regiment was attached, was ordered to secure Naushera and establish a base at Jhangar in mid-November.as it was a strategically important part of Naushera sector as it was captured by the Pakistani raiders.
Bad weather prevented this action and on 24 December, Jhangar, a strategically advantageous position in the Naushera Sector, was captured by the invaders which gave them strong cover and control over the communication lines and the supply lines between Mirpur and Poonch provided a starting point or the base from which attacks and counter attacks could be made on Naushera. Naushera and Jhangar both were highly strategic locations in Jammu and Kashmir, in Jan–Feb 1948 Brig Usman repulsed fierce attacks on both places. The following month, the Indian Army undertook several operations in the north-west of Naushera to stop further advances by the Pakistani forces. Brigadier Mohammad Usman, the commanding officer of the 50th Para Brigade, had made the road for the Singh’s troops to counter the expected attack. Soldiers were deployed in very cautious small groups on possible way for the enemy approaches.
Tain Dhar, lying to the north of Naushera, was one such approach for which Singh's battalion consisting of 27 men was responsible. On the morning of 6 February 1948, Pakistani forces opened fire on the Singh’s battalion patrolling along Tain Dhar ridge. Gunfire was exchanged between both sides and nobody got spotted by the incliment weather. The foggy early morning darkness helped the attacking Pakistanis troops approached them in waves and creep up to the pickets. Suddenly, men in the posts on the Tain Dhar ridge observed a large number of Pakistani soldiers moving towards them. Singh was in command and control of the nine personnel of his battallion manning the forward post of the second picket at Tain Dhar to control the waves of invaders. Singh and his section were able neutralise the three successive attempts by invaders to capture their position.
The end of invader’s third wave of advance leave the Singh’s battalion, of the 27 men at the post, 24 were dead or severely wounded. Singh being a section commander at the post, displayed "exemplary" leadership, and kept motivating his men till he succumbed to his wounds. .
All persons in the troops were wounded, and Naik Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, he took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren gunner of his section. The enemies were very much nearer to the walls of the post but the devotee of Lord Hanuman, Naik Jadunath Singh once again showed outstanding ability and valour against the invaders in the highest order. He encouraged his men to fight for the country by disregarding completely for his personal safety and example of coolness and courage.
His fire was so devastating and stunning, that what looked like impending defeat was turned into a victory.The enemy retreated in chaos leaving the dead and wounded soldiers on the ground. With this act of supreme heroism and outstanding example of leadership and determination proved a very critical moment for the battle at Naushera.
Without Naik Jadunath Singh’s heroics and engaging the Pakistanis with a fierce encounter ,the Tain Dhar position couldn’t be recaptured again. In the meantime, Brigadier Usman sent a company of the 3rd (Para) Battalion, Rajput Regiment, to reinforce Tain Dhar. Singh was posthumously awarded the India’s highest military decoration ,the Param Vir Chakra for his heroic action on 6 Feb 1948.
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