War Hero, Maha Vir Chakra Recipient Sant Singh Passes Away At 94

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Brig Sant Singh was twice decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest gallantry medal in war time.

CHANDIGARH – Forty-four years after he spearheaded the Army’s charge to Dacca (now Dhaka) during the 1971 Bangladesh Campaign, the country’s one of the most highly decorated soldiers marched into oblivion. Brig Sant Singh, twice decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), the second highest award for gallantry, passed away here last night.

He was 94 and had been ailing for some time. He is survived by his daughter Satinder Kaur who is married to a brigadier. Hailing from Panjgrain village near Kotkapura, he had settled down in Chandigarh after retirement. The cremation is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Belonging to the Sikh Light Infantry, he was among the only six individuals to have been awarded the Maha Vir Chakra twice. With his demise only one such recipient now remains alive.

During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he was commanding the FJ sector in the eastern theatre and his formation achieved spectacular results, advancing 38 miles almost on foot, to secure Mymensingh and Madhopur in eight days. During the advance, in spite of stiff opposition from the enemy, he cleared heavily defended positions at several places, personally leading the troops. His advance paved the way for Indian troops to enter Dacca (now Dhaka) and he was among the first officers to enter the headquarters of the East Pakistan Commander, Lt Gen AAK Niazi. For his action, he was awarded the MVC. A framed-picture of Niazi and a desktop time-piece, which he seized from Niazi’s office, was his war trophies displayed in his home.

Six years earlier, in November 1965, while commanding a Sikh Light infantry battalion, then Lt Col Sant Singh had evicted Pakistani troops from OP Hill in Jammu and Kashmir, that had encroached on the Indian territory after the ceasefire. Despite difficult terrain and mine fields, the feature was wrestled back after a bitter hand-to-hand fight. For displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership in the face of heavy fire, he had received his first MVC.

Lt Gen NPS Hira, Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry, has condoled Brig Sant Singh’s death. The entire Sikh Light Infantry fraternity treasures his courage, significant contribution and pays tribute to the worthy officer, he said.

In his message, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh said Brig Sant Singh was an exceptional soldier of whom the Army and the nation was proud of and in his death, the country had lost a great soldier whose services would always be remembered.

suited for rearing in foreign (Punjab’s) environment.

“Sahiwal’s milk has higher fat content than HF, which will compensate its low yield. Moreover, Sahiwal is indigenous species of Punjab and it copes well with the local environment. Since demerits of HF have begun manifesting, we now need to gradually shift our reliance to such indigenous varieties,” said Dr HS Sandha, Director, Punjab Animal Husbandry Department.