Abdul Hamid

Abdul Hamid

Sub : History

Sec : Modern India 

Context: Recently Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the native village of Hamid, Dhamupur, where he released a book on Hamid titled ‘Mere Papa Paramvir’ and another book titled ‘Bharat ka Musalman’. 

Background of Abdul Hamid

• Birth: Born on July 1, 1933.
• Service: Company Quarter Master Havildar (CQMH) in the 4th Grenadiers Battalion of the Indian Army.

Battle of Asal Uttar: Overview and Context

• Date: Fought between September 8 to September 10, 1965, during the India-Pakistan War of 1965.
• Location: Near Khem Karan in Punjab, close to the India-Pakistan border.
• Pakistani Offensive: Pakistan’s 1 Armoured Division launched an offensive to capture Khem Karan and cut off parts of Punjab, including Amritsar, from India.

Indian Response and Strategic Moves

• Initial Surprise: India’s 4th Mountain Division, near Khem Karan, initially fell back in the face of the Pakistani offensive.
• Leadership and Defence Strategy: Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, Western Army Commander, advised a stout defence at Asal Uttar and moved the 2nd Armoured Brigade to counter Pakistani tanks.
• Outcome: The battle resulted in heavy losses for Pakistan, including 97 Patton tanks and the surrender of an entire armoured regiment and its commanding officer.

Abdul Hamid’s Heroic Contribution

• Role and Actions: Serving with the 4th Grenadiers Battalion, Hamid led a detachment of Recoilless Guns near Chima village, tasked with hunting enemy tanks.
• Bravery and Sacrifice: On September 10, Hamid engaged and destroyed four Pakistani Patton tanks at close range, disabling one despite coming under fire from another tank.
• Recognition: Posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award.

Legacy and Commemoration

• War Memorial: The site of Hamid’s death is now a war memorial.
• Tribute: A captured Pakistani Patton tank stands at the memorial’s entrance, turret down, honouring the bravery of Indian soldiers in the Battle of Asal Uttar.

It encapsulates the bravery and strategic significance of Abdul Hamid’s actions during the Battle of Asal Uttar, highlighting his role in India’s successful defence against Pakistani forces during the 1965 war.