Col J P Singh
Division of its Army with the division of a country would have rarely happened in history but it was thrust upon India by the British. India was left with a rag-tag Army after its partition. To make it still worst, Pakistan invaded J&K in 1947 under the British military commanders making friends fight as foe. But it was lucky to have in uniform, a military generation with considerable experience of active service in various theatres of WW II and during the many campaigns of the troubled interwar period. Col Sharak Dev Singh Jamwal, a Dogra of Jammu was one such young officer of 7 Cavalry who had taken part in WW II in Burma and was called upon to fight for the motherland. He achieved great successes in J&K including opening the Zojila Pass single handedly enabling safe passage for military manoeuvres towards Ladakh & Gilgit-Baltistan. He hits a Century on 13 August 2025. With thedivine reward of such remarkable age, his historical repository of various campaigns that he fought in own country and overseas becomes even bigger which is being celebrated by Army top-brass at his Gandhinagar residence today.
He was born on 13 August 1926 (27 Sawan 1936) to Col Prasidh Singh of State Forces. His father had taken part in 1st World War and awarded a war jagir. Nephew of legendary Brig Ghansara Singh, he started his education in Doon School from where he was selected for ‘Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, Dehradun, now RIMC Dehradun, of which my nephew Aryaveer Singh is also an Alumni.
Col Jamwal always wanted to be an Army officer. His distinguished traits in early years were clear determination to be a soldier and complete master of his profession. Once in, basic to his achievements were high sense of duty and thorough going professionalism which had been evident during his tactical flair in Burma, Zojila and Bomdila. I learnt a lot from his vast operational experiences during our morning walks in Green Belt Parks; ironically after retirement.
He was commissioned during the 2nd World War in 7 Cavalry and deputed to Japan from where he was diverted to Burma where, as part of British Indian Division, he performed gallantly. He also served in British Commonwealth as part of the ‘Allied Occupation Forces in Japan’.
The story turns interesting when he returned to India and was sent to his homeland in support of State Forces to evict the Pak invaders. First action he took part was in Mendhar where his Troop Leader Jem Kartar Singh earned his first Vir Chakra. During recapture of Jhangar, his Sqn supported the Infantry attack. Soon after he was sent to Srinagar with his Sqn which had Stuart Tanks. On arrival in Srinagar, he was pressed into the battle to clear Zojila Pass. Dismantling Tanks and lugging them on civil trucks to achieve surprise was a difficult task which he performed diligently. His moments of glory came on 1st November 1948. Maj Gen K S Thamiya, the GOC, called him at 10 AM and told, “advance across Zojila, if possible capture Gumri across Zojila”. Zojila was strongly held by the enemy. Undeterred, the roaring Tanks waded through the enemy trenches making them flee for life. By 3 PM Gumri was under Capt Jamwal’s feet. His radio message was, “Hello Victor 15, Gumri captured, enemy on the run”. Jem Kartar Singh was awarded’VirChakra Bar’ during this action. At 5 PM, when it was getting dark, Gen Thamiya arrived at Gumri. He was the first person to reach Gumri and came without any escort. It were Rimcolian Capt and a Rimcolian General who could do that, credit to the RIMC which turns daredevils. Capt Jamwal ordered a Tank driver to take GOC back before it gets dark, which he complied.
One Coy of 1/5 GR, was supposed to be supporting Tank Assault through the snow-clad Pass. Instead it reached Gumri much later at 8 PM. It angered the GOC. With over two years of service, Capt SDS Jamwal went on to create history by taking Stuart Tanks across strongly held Zojila Pass without Infantry support when the Infantry was at his disposal but that would have delayed the advance of troops towards LEH. Daredevil actions like Zojila are rare in military campaigns. That makes Col Jamwal a distinguished military Commander.
This write up is a tribute to a professional centenarian who not only created history but geography as well by enabling Ladakh, which now is a thriving UT, to be regained from invaders. A signal from Corps Commander to CO 7 Cav stated, “the magnificent part played by C Sqn of your regiment in this battle of Zojila will always be remembered as the greatest achievement by Tanks in Kashmir Ops (.) This speaks highly of your excellent planning and leadership (.) Please convey to Capt Sharak Dev Singh OC C Sqn my warmest congratulations for his dash and boldness in the way the Tanks were employed (.) The JCOs and Ors who took part in this Op have won our admiration (.) This message continues to be a proud part of Unit History.
For exemplary Command of his Sqn in war, Capt Jamwal was awarded ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’, a gallantry award. He deserved much higher recognition but missed it, perhaps because of the politics that may have come in the way as it did later leading to a pre-mature ceasefire thereby letting 1/3rd of J&K go to Pakistan.
In 1961, he was part of ‘liberate Goa operation’. In 1962, he was in NEFA to fight against the Chinese. This story is also interesting. On 22 October 1962, 7 Cavalry was ordered to move to Missamari in the Brahmaputra valley. Maj Jamwal was then B Sqn Commander. At that time Regiment’s Stuart Tanks were in a bad state for want of spares. With cannibalization, he readied his Tanks for the battle and reached Missamari on 27 October where he received operational orders from the Corps HQ to deploy Sqn HQ and one troop with HQ 4 Inf Div at Dirang, 5,500 ft high, to deploy one Troop in support of 48 Infantry Bde at Bomdila, 10,000 ft high. and third troop to be in support of 62 Bde at Se La, 13,550 ft high. Maj Jamwal pressed his Sqn into action regardless of challenges and reached Bomdila on 11 November 1962.
Se La was over run on 17 November 1962. 4 Infantry Div was routed in the initial attacks. Division went into a hasty withdrawal. With no orders from any commander, Maj Jamwal asked GOC for further orders. “try to breakthrough Bomdila. If you can’t, cover our with drawal, I am leaving, if you can’t get through to Bomdila follow us”; was the order. Thereafter Maj Jamwal neither saw the General nor his formation. Being left to fend for himself he asked his subordinates to hold the ground till last light and provide cover to withdrawing troops. Throughout the heavy engagement with advancing Chinese, Maj Jamwal kept encouraging his men to fight on. The men stood their ground till darkness. As the darkness fell, it was decided to break through. B Sqn finally reached Missamari on 25th November; lesser mauled. Troops had to face the ignominy of withdrawal despite its glorious past.
Ironically the govt decided not to give any gallantry award for any action in Bomdila sector regardless of individual gallantry otherwise Col Jamwal would have been rewarded for exemplary leadership in otherwise lost war. But the God rewarded the legendary warrior with happy and healthy long life thus making him an inspirational hero.
Detailed accounts of Col Jamwal’s glorious past find mention in various books written on Burma Campaign, Pak Aggression 1947-48 and Indo-China War 1962. Stories of his achievements often appear in military journals, magazines and periodicals. 7 Cavalry’s history book, ‘We Lead’ is a befitting tribute to him. Snippets of his tactical achievements have been written in military precis and discussed in professional courses. Hence he stands gloriously with other military commanders ever. May he continue to a universal inspiring fatherly figure for times to come.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
