Col J P Singh
Strategic importance of Himalayas lies in the fact that soon after partition Pakistan spared no time to occupy Zojila which connected Kashmir Valley with Indus valley. For the maintenance of troops and civilians across, Zojila was vital. Hence Gen Thimayya, GOC Srinagar Division planned to clear it at the earliest. 77 Para Bde attempted twice but both the attacks failed. Thereafter Gen Thimayya made an unthinkable plan. He decided to use Tanks. By then nowhere in the world Tanks had operated at such heights ever. Charlie Squadron (Sqn) of 7 Cav commanded by Capt S D S Jamwal got the distinction of taking Tanks across Zojila first time at such height. It is also to his credit to move his Sqn to the valley secretly by dismantling Tanks and carrying the Turrets in civil trucks unnoticed. When PLA is eyeing Indus valley and our two Armored Brigades are deployed in Ladakh, another first, it will be befitting to put contributions of then Capt S D S Jamwal on record as Saviour of Indus Valley and inspiration to young military commanders.
Alumni of ‘Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, (RIMC) Dehradun, which is the most prestigious pre-commission academic institution of Asia he was commissioned in 7 Cav. His father Col Parsidh Singh was the veteran of 1st World War.
During WWII he was sent to Japan with his ‘Troop of Tanks’ from where he was diverted to Burma and later to Japan with ‘British Commonwealth Allied Occupation Forces’.
On arrival in Srinagar, Capt Jamwal was pressed into the battlefield to clear Zojila. On 1st November 1948 morning, Gen Thimayya summoned him at Baltal and ordered him to advance across Zojila and capture Gumri. His moments of glory came soon after that. Once ordered, he undertook the adventure boldly and lived up to GOC’s expectations and ancestral martial traditions. With just three years of service, he went on to create history by taking Stuart Tanks across strongly held Zojila without Infantry support. Such risky misadventures were in his blood. This write up is a tribute to a bold and dashing Dogra who not only created history but geography also by saving Indus Valley from Pakistan.
As ordered, Charlie Sqn started advance soon after the receipt of orders. It fought its way through the Pakistanis entrenched enroute. Appearance of roaring Tanks came as bolt from the blue for Pakistanis. They ran for their lives. By 3 PM, 01 November 1948, Gumri was under Charlie Sqn’s feet. He messaged his Regt HQs; “Hello Victor 15, Gumri captured, enemy on the run, over”. Soon after that Gen Thimayya arrived at Gumri. General was the first person to reach there after the capture of Gumri without any escort. Seeing him, Capt Jamwal jumped off his Tank to receive the GOC but Gen shouted telling him not to salute because they were under enemy observation. It were Rimcolian Capt and a Rimcolian General who gave Zojila to the Indian Army, credit to the RIMC which makes officers dare devils. Capt Jamwal requested GOC to get back before it gets dark. Complimenting Capt Jamwal GOC returned. A Coy 1/5 GR, which was supposed to be supporting Tank Assault through the snow-clad Pass reached Gumri much later. With victory at its feet the army advanced further and captured Matyan, 18 Kms ahead of Zoji La.
Corps Commander sent a congratulatory message- “the magnificent part played by Charlie Sqn of your Regt in the 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, the OC Charlie 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 (.) Well done (.)”. For exemplary Command of his Sqn in war, he was awarded a ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’.
In 1961 he took part in Goa Operation. In 1962 he fought in NEFA against PLA. This story is also interesting. As Bravo Sqn Commander he reached Missamari on 27 October 1962 where he received operational orders- ‘(i) to deploy Sqn HQ and one Troop with HQ 4 Inf Div at Dirang (at 5,500 ft height). (ii) to deploy one Troop in support of 48 Inf Bde at Bomdila (at 10,000 ft height) and (iii) 3rd Troop to be in support of 62 Bde at Se La’. Se La was 200 Kms from Missamari. Maj Jamwal however pressed his Sqn regardless of challenges and reached Bomdila on 11 November 1962.
Chinese over-ran Se La on 17 November. 4 Div was routed in the initial attacks. The famous Division went into a hasty withdrawal. With no orders from any commander, Maj Jamwal asked Gen Pathania, the GOC 4 Div as to what were the orders for him. Hurriedly withdrawing Div Commander gave this order, “try to break through Bomdila. If you can’t, cover our withdrawal. I am leaving, if you can’t get through to Bomdila follow us”. Being left to fend for himself he asked his subordinates to hold the ground till last light and provide cover to withdrawing troops. Finally Sqn reached Missamari on 25th November lesser mauled.
Govt decided not to give any gallantry award for any action in Bomdila sector regardless of individual gallantry. Otherwise he would have been rewarded for gallantry. But I see him much better rewarded with good health and happiness.
Col Jamwal is a veteran of many wars. Higher his age, the bigger is his historical repository of various wars that he fought in own country and overseas. Now ninety four plus, he is often seen on long morning walks in Gandhinagar due to his multi-war tonics. May he hit a glorious century and keep passing his knowledge to the posterity.
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