16 Facts About Karam Singh

Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh PVC, MM, an Indian soldier, was a recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for gallantry.

Karam Singh fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and was awarded the PVC for his role in saving a forward post at Richhmar Gali, south of Tithwal.

Karam Singh was one of the five soldiers chosen to raise the Indian flag for the first time after independence in 1947.

Karam Singh later rose to the rank of subedar, and was conferred the rank of honorary captain before his retirement in September 1969.

Karam Singh was born on 15 September 1915 in the village of Sehna, Barnala district, in Punjab, British India in a Jat family.

Karam Singh intended to become a farmer, but he decided to join the army after being inspired by the stories of World War I veterans from his village.

Karam Singh was one of the five soldiers selected by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to raise the Indian flag for the first time after independence in 1947.

Under the heavy Pakistani fire, Karam Singh moved from position to position, boosting the morale of his men and intermittently throwing grenades.

Bravely, Lance Naik Karam Singh went from bunker to bunker, giving succor to the wounded and urging the men to fight.

Immediately, Lance Naik Karam Singh, who was severely wounded by then, with a few men, hurled himself in a counter-attack and evicted the enemy after a close quarter encounter which accounted for many enemy dead, having been dispatched by the bayonet.

Lance Naik Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless leader of men in crisis.

On 10 January 1957, now a havildar, Karam Singh was promoted to the junior commissioned officer rank of jemadar with the service number of JC-6415.

Karam Singh was promoted to subedar on 1 March 1964, and was later promoted to subedar-major.

Karam Singh was one of the five soldiers to have a chance to raise the Indian flag for the first time on the independance day which is known to india biggest respect day.

Karam Singh died on 20 January 1993 in his village, and was survived by his wife, Gurdial Kaur, and children.

The tanker MT Lance Naik Karam Singh, PVC was delivered to SCI on 30 July 1984, and served for 25 years before being phased out.