Col Dilbag Dabas (retd)
“Tiger Hill pe Tiranga fahrake ayenge, chahe kuchh bhi ho jaye (We will hoist Tricolour atop Tiger Hill, come what may),” was the resolve of Lt (now Colonel) Balwan Singh Panghal and his team before final assault on Tiger Hill.
A Haryanavi, Lt Panghal is a recipient of Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest military decoration, next only to Param Vir Chakra. A second-generation soldier, he was born on October 17, 1973, in Sasrauli village of Rohtak district (now in Jhajjar).
He grew up listening to stories of valour from his father Shobha Chand, a decorated soldier who served in 2 Jat Battalion of the Army. Since childhood, Lt Panghal knew he was destined to be a soldier. With initials at his village school, followed by Happy School in Rohtak, he did his senior secondary from Sainik School, Karnal.
After graduating from University College, Rohtak, Lt Panghal joined Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned in March 1999 into 18 Grenadiers, a renowned infantry Battalion with battle honours to its credit. With just four months into service, Kargil offered him an opportunity to display his valour — a God-sent opportunity he grabbed with both hands.
Lt Panghal, following the finest traditions among The Grenadiers, displayed raw courage, grit and determination during “Operation Vijay” (Kargil War) when he defied all possible odds and most gallantly led his team of Ghataks (daredevils) and hoisted Tricolour on the most formidable Tiger Hill, a feature till then was perceived as unassailable. For his dauntless courage and bravery in the face of the enemy, Lt Panghal was awarded Maha Vir Chakra.
Notwithstanding the magnificent performance of Lt Panghal during the Kargil War, the peace time tenure of Lt Balwan, now full Colonel, has been equally inspiring.
Col Balwan Singh has served in the United Nations mission in Sierra Leone in West Africa in 2001. He has also been an instructor in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and Group Testing Officer at Services Selection Board, Allahabad. After successfully commanding 18 Grenadiers, his own Battalion, at Gwalior and at Siachen Glacier, Col Balwan Singh is now serving as the Colonel General Staff at PH & HP Independent Sub Area Ambala.
Col Balwan Singh is deeply connected to his Haryanavi roots. While on leave, he often goes around the schools and colleges in his district and encourages the youth to opt for defence services. Like most villages in Haryana, the youth in Sasrauli opt for military not just as another profession but the best way to serve the nation. Col Balwan Singh remains a source of inspiration not only for Panghals of Sasrauli but also for the entire Indian young blood.
Battlefield account of capture of Tiger Hill by Lt Panghal and his chosen team of Ghataks, for which he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, obtained from the war diary of 18 Grenadiers, reads:
The writer is veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment
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