Khem Karan Singh
Lieutenant General | |
---|---|
Service number | IC-39607H |
Unit | 16th Light Cavalry |
Commands held | Central Command I Corps 1 Armoured Division 16th Light Cavalry |
Awards |
Early life and education
He was born in 1919 in
Military career
Singh was commissioned into the
Maha Vir Chakra
The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[4][5]
Gazette Notification: 129 Pres/65,11-11-65
Operation: 1965 Op Riddle Date of Award: 06 Sep 1965
CITATION
BRIGADIER KHEM KARAN SINGH
IC-2014
Brigadier Khem Karan Singh, commander of an armoured brigade, led his brigade and some additional armoured units into action during the operations in the Sialkot Sector from 6 to 22 September 1965. He was to cope with enemy tanks which were superior in number and better in technical performance.
During the first three days of battle, the force under the command of Brigadier Singh destroyed over 75 enemy tanks at the cost of a small number of our own tanks. This was possible due to Brigadier Singh's personal example, as he, in his own task, was present at the point of maximum enemy threat.
Brigadier Singh fought the battle of Phillora for three days and nights, throwing out the enemy from this important communication centre. The enemy's morale was so much demoralised because of this action that he avoided close combat and engaged our forces only at extreme range.
Brigadier Khem Karan Singh displayed outstanding leadership, high tactical ability and great devotion to duty, in the best traditions of the Indian Army.
After the war, Singh was promoted to the rank of
In November 1973, Singh was promoted to Army Commander grade and took over as the 5th General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Central Command.
After a two-year stint as GOC-in-C Central Command, Singh retired in 1975.[7]
References
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Lt General Khem Karan Singh - Indian Army - Maha vir Chakra - Padma Bhushan - Haryana - India". Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Lt Gen Khem Karan Singh: An outstanding military leader". Tribuneindia News Service.
- ^ "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Lt Gen Khem Karan Singh, MVC (retd) @ TWDI". twdi.in.
- ^ "KHEM KARAN SINGH | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Lt Gen Khem Karan Singh: An outstanding military leader". Tribuneindia News Service.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Lt Gen Khem Karan Singh: An outstanding military leader". Tribuneindia News Service.