Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was an Indian Army officer who was awarded India’s highest gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), for his role in a United Nations operation in 1961, when he killed a heavy force of separatists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Had fought the armed group. Congo and prevented a rebel led attack on the UN headquarters, during which he succumbed to his injuries, making him the only soldier of the Indian Army to be presented with PVC for participating in operations under UN it was done.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was born on Friday, 29 November 1935 (age 26 at the time of death) in Janwal village, Shakargarhi, Punjab (now in Pakistan). After the partition of India in 1947, young Gurbachan came to the Indian region of Punjab with his entire family and settled in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, where he was enrolled in a government school. He did not pay much attention to his studies and spent most of his time playing games like Kabaddi. He came from a family with a military history, so since childhood he was inclined towards joining the army. Later, he tried to get admission in King George’s Royal Indian Military College (KGRIMC), Bangalore, but was rejected as he could not meet the required physical standards of the institute. After some time, he again applied for KGRIMC and this time he was accepted. Later, he was transferred from Bangalore to King George’s Royal Indian Military College, Jalandhar. After completing his schooling in 1953, Gurbachan Singh Salaria joined the Joint Services National Defense Academy after which he joined the Indian Military Academy in 1956.
family and caste
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria belonged to a Punjabi Saini Sikh family.
parents and siblings
His father’s name was Chaudhary Munshi Ram Salaria, who was also in the army. He was part of the Dogra Squadron of Hodson’s Horse, a cavalry unit of the British Indian Army. His mother’s name was Dhan Devi. His younger brother Sukhdev Singh Salaria lives in Pathankot.
Punjab: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat met relatives of late Param Vir Chakra winner Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria in Pathankot today. Captain Salaria was awarded the PVC for his extraordinary bravery during deployment to Congo as part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in 1961. pic.twitter.com/F5Uw925Bk8
– ANI (@ANI) 6 September 2019
livelihood
Commissioning as an officer among the brave Gurkhas
After completion of his intensive training period, he passed out from the Indian Military Academy on 9 June 1957 at the very young age of 22. He was initially commissioned in the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Gorkha Rifles after which he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Gorkha Rifles in March 1960.
Background of the events that led to complete chaos in Congo
Before June 1960, Congo was under Belgian colonial rule. In 1960, Belgium decided to end its colonial rule in the Congo and grant independence to the Democratic Republic of the Congo so that it could be ruled by its own people; However, things did not go as planned and soon, there was a rebellion in the Congolese army over the discrepancy between whites and blacks in the country, resulting in two parts of the country, Katanga and South Kasai, violently demanding separation from the mainland. Engaged. The situation gradually turned violent and the newly independent country plunged into the darkness of civil war. After several attempts, Congo and Katanga could not come to a joint or cooperative agreement to resolve their differences. Ultimately, on 14 July 1960, the Congolese government decided to go to the United Nations to intervene in the situation.
United Nations involvement in Congo
The United Nations responded to the crisis by immediately establishing a multi-national force under the Chief of United Nations Operations in Congo, under which India contributed about 3000 men by transferring the 99th Infantry Brigade to assist the United Nations. The third was also involved. 1st Gorkha Battalion, in March 1961. The United Nations failed to resolve the situation in Congo peacefully and adopted UN Security Council Resolution No. 169. Under this resolution, the United Nations condemned Katanga’s secessionist move and authorized the use of armed force.
Captain Salaria led his Gorkhas from the front
Captain Salaria of 3/1 Gorkha Rifles and his men were ordered to march and deploy to the strategically important Elizabethville Airfield in Katanga and protect the UN Headquarters located there. The rebels, known as gendarmes, wanted to establish a blockade around and near the airfield. The Indian contingent was tasked with clearing enemy obstructions so that UN operations in Congo could continue unhindered with the help of airfields. Due to enemy numbers being greater, Captain Salaria decided to take charge. The rebels had two armored vehicles for support and were believed to not have expected any attack due to their superior numbers. Captain Salaria and his Gurkhas crept slowly and silently to a distance just enough for the rocket launchers to take out the enemy armored vehicles. As the rockets destroyed the armored vehicles, Captain Salaria took charge to clear the road blockade.
Award – Paramveer Chakra
Captain Salaria was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) for displaying indomitable courage in the face of overwhelming odds and fighting a superior enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety. This award was received by his father Munshi Ram Salaria on 26 January 1962.
Munshi Ram Salaria, father of Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, receiving the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously) on behalf of his son.
Respect
- A square at the National Defense Academy has been named Salaria Square in honor of the brave officer.
Salaria Square is named after Gurbachan Singh Salaria in NDA
- On 5 December 1992, the Army Postal Service Corps issued a special postage stamp in honor of Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria.
Indian Army Postal Service Corps postal card dated 5 December 1992 in honor of Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, PVC.
- There is a stadium named after him at the 14 Gorkha Training Center in Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh.
- In 1984, the Ship Corporation of India (SCI) named one of its oilers after Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, PVC.
Death
Armed with just a Khukri, a brave soldier till the end
The inverted rifle and helmet on top mark the spot where Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria sacrificed his life in Congo
During the UN operation in Congo, as Captain Salaria’s men destroyed two armored vehicles of Katangese rebels, Captain Salaria decided to lead his regiment with the war cry “Jai Maa Kali, Ayo Gorkhali”. , meaning “Hail Mother Kali, here comes the Gorkhali. Before they could regroup themselves and counterattack the Indians, Captain Salaria wanted to engage the confused enemy. His last message to another officer over the radio The message was, “I am proceeding with the attack because I am sure that I will be victorious”. On the orders of their commander the soldiers attacked the enemy with their unsheathed Khukris and inflicted heavy losses on the rebels. A situation of confusion and During the battle, Captain Salaria was hit in the neck by an enemy automatic rifle bullet. Refusing to retreat and withdraw, he continued to attack the enemy until the enemy lost half his strength and lost his dead. And decided not to run away leaving the injured behind.Captain Salaria later died while being taken to the hospital for treatment.
Soldiers of 3/1 Gorkha Rifles carrying a picture of Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria as he returns from his peacekeeping mission in Congo.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria is the first alumnus of the National Defense Academy to receive the Param Vir Chakra (PVC).
- He was nicknamed “Khan Saheb” by his commanding officer because of his close-cropped hair and grown moustache.
- Once in Shimla, before being posted to Congo, he showed his hand to a palmist who said it would bring great fame to his name.
- Among all his siblings, Gurbachan Singh Salaria was the favorite of his grandmother who often tied a black thread around his waist to keep him safe from evil.
- While studying at King George’s Royal Indian Military College, Gurbachan Singh challenged his goon to a boxing match, and after defeating the goon, the goon had to apologize to him.
- Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was up against 150 Katangi rebels, of which Captain Salaria and his men managed to kill 40. Thus, despair spread among the rebels.
- In her book, The Brave-The Param Vir Chakra Stories, Rachna Bisht Rawat wrote,
There were two bullets in his neck. Blood was seeping out and soaking his shirt. Right ahead he could see the Gendarmerie running away. Some of his brave and courageous Gurkhas were still in pursuit. When extreme fatigue overtook him he did not protest. He had lost a lot of blood. His work was completed and he was at peace. Closing his eyes, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria of 3/1 Gorkha Rifles dropped his rifle and slipped into unconsciousness, from which he would never awaken.
- In an interview, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria’s battalion adjutant, Major General RP Singh, recalled Gurbachan showing his right hand for some astrological thing. RP Singh said,
Wait and see, this star will take me to greater heights. ‘I didn’t know that his day of fame and glory was just a few days away. Or that he will never know about this fame because it will happen when he is in his heavenly abode.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn