Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat, born on May 20, 1918 in Rampura Beri village in Churu district of Rajasthan, was the youngest in a family of three brothers and four sisters. His parents were Shri Lal Singh and Smt Tarawati Kanwar (Jarav Devi). From a young age, Singh Shekhawat had an inclination to join the Army, and he eventually achieved this goal by being selected through a recruitment camp. He joined the Army on his 18th birthday, May 20, 1936.
Initially, Piru Singh was sent to 10/1 Punjab, but later he was posted to the well-known infantry regiment 5/1 Punjab of the Punjab Regiment. Within a short period, he developed into a dedicated soldier and was promoted to the rank of Naik. He also instructed at the Punjab Regimental Centre in Jhelum. In May 1945, the appointment of Company Havaldar Major was given to him. He participated in World War II, serving in Japan as part of the Allied Forces. When he returned from WW-II in Sep 1947, the Indian Army had undergone a reorganization, and Havaldar Major Piru Singh was transferred to 6 Raj Rif of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.
Lionhearted Courage Of Piru Singh
The British Indian Army dispatched the 6 Rajputana Rifles to Tithwal to strengthen their advance on the Tithwal sector during the Jammu & Kashmir operations in the summer of 1948. This was in response to Pakistani raiders capturing the village and attempting to control the positions across the river Kishanganga. The offensive took place from July 11 to July 15, and two companies were sent to secure the area. Company D, under the command of CHM Piru Singh, was tasked with securing the first feature. The path to the enemy post was a narrow ridge with deep ravines on either side, and it was overlooked by enemy bunkers, putting them in direct line of fire from enemy MMG posts. Despite these challenges, Singh inspired his men with cries of “Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai” as they pushed ahead.
Under the non-stop attack from the Pakistani invaders CHM Piru Singh had led his men with the war cry; “Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai”
Half an hour into their advance, over half of Company D was down, with CHM Piru Singh leading the front sector. Heavy enemy fire rained down on them, but Singh advanced to take out the MMG posts. Grenade splinters from the enemy wounded several parts of his body, but he still pressed forward to eliminate the attackers from the hills. He rushed forward, bayoneted the crew of the enemy MMG, and occupied the post, despite the fact that most of his company had fallen by then.
Injured and alone, CHM Piru Singh left the trench and pushed ahead to take out the second MMG post. On the way, a grenade struck him and he was bleeding from half his face. Despite being gravely injured and with no ammunition left, he did not back down. He threw a grenade into the trench of the second post and bayoneted two men in another trench, successfully securing the second MMG post. As he emerged from the second post, a bullet struck him in the head and he was seen dropping over the edge of the enemy trench. But, a loud explosion was heard in the third MMG post, confirming that Singh’s grenade had done its job. Sadly, Singh fell to his injuries, but he had bravely and selflessly completed his mission.
Stamp issued to Honour Company Havildar Major Piru Sing PVC for this contribution for the country by Indian Army Postal Service
Param Ver Chakra
For his remarkable bravery, deep devotion and self-sacrifice to his nation, CHM Piru Singh was awarded India’s highest gallantry award, the “Param Vir Chakra,” posthumously. The story of Singh continues to inspire millions of Indians and he will always be remembered for his lionhearted courage and love for his country.
Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru called him the man with determination and eminent bravery. He felt to be very grateful for having such a brave-hearted man like CHM Piru Singh Shekhawat who sacrificed his life in the service of the Motherland.
With a Grenade Wounded in the Face and Blood Dripping into his Eyes, He Rampaged the Pakistani Posts Single Handedly.
Tribute to CHM Piru Singh
- The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), named fifteen of her Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT “Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, PVC” was delivered to SCI on 12-10-1984.
- A circle called ‘Shaheed Piru Singh Shekhawat Circle’ is named in his honour in his home town in Jhunjhunu by Government of Rajasthan.
- A statue of CHM Piru Singh was erected in a playground of his native village Beri (Dist: Jhunjhunu), Rajasthan, India. The playground is also named after him.
- The housing project called Piru Puram in Jallandhar has been named after CHM Piru Singh PVC.
“He paid with his life for his singularity brave act, but he left for the rest of his comrades a unique example of single-handed bravery and determined cold courage. The country is grateful”
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Mrs Tarawati, mother of CHM Piru Singh.
