MINISTRY OF DEFENCE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Param Vir Chakra Awardee of India Subedar Joginder Singh Subedar Joginder Singh Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), Sikh Regiment Subedar Joginder Singh IJC-4547), son of Shri Sher Singh, was born on September 26, 1921, in village Mahla Kalan, Moga, Faridkot, Punjab. He was enrolled in I Sikh on September 28, 1936. During the Sino-Indian Conflict 1962, Subedar Joginder Singh commanded a platoon in Tawang Sector of NEFA. While holding a Sikh Regiment defensive position on a ridge in Tongpeng La area on Bum La axis, the platoon noticed heavy enemy concentration opposite Bum La across the McMahon line on October 20. This was indeed preparatory to the Chinese advance on Bum La axis. At 0530 hours on October 23, the Chinese launched a heavy attack on the Bum La axis. The intention was to achieve a breakthrough to Tawang. They attacked the Ridge in three waves, each about 200 strong. The attack was supported by artillery and mortar fire, besides other weapons. The fierce resistance ofthe Sikh platoon compelled the attackers to fall back with heavy losses butthey regrouped quickly to launch a fresh attack under the cover of an artillery barrage. September 26, 1921· October 23, 1962 However, Subedar Joginder Singh and his platoon stood firm like a rock before the advancing enemy. In this fierce action the platoon lost halfofits men but not the will to fight. Subedar Joginder Singh, despite a wound in the thigh, refused evacuation. His platoon also refused to yield anyground to the enemy. The last wave of the Chinese attack, which was more determined and more forceful followed next. Now the platoon had very few men left to fight. Subedar Joginder Singh, therefore, manned a light machine gun and killed a large number of enemies. But he could not stem the tide of the enemy advance single-handed. The Chinese continued advancing with little concern for the casualties. By now all ammunition with the platoon had been exhausted. When the situation became desperate, Subedar Joginder Singh and his men emerged from their position with fixed bayonets, shouting the Sikh battle cry "Wahe Guruji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guruji ki Fateh". They fell upon the advancing enemy and bayonetted manyto death. Subedar Joginder Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra for his inspiring leadership, courage and devotion to duty, posthumously. Smt Gurdayal Kaur, wife of Subedar Joginder Singh, receiving PVC from the President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.