Subedar Major Bana Singh; One of the three living recipients of Param Vir Chakra

 

Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh P.V.C was born on 6th January 1949 into a Sikh family at Kadyal, R.S.Pura in Jammu and Kashmir. His father was a farmer and his uncles were soldiers in the India Army.

 

 

He enrolled in the Indian Army on 6 January 1969 into the 8th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI).He was trained at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg and also at another school at Sonamarg.

 

 

Naib Subedar Bana Singh is one of the three living recipients of the Param Vir Chakra , the highest Indian bravery Award. He earned this award for conquering the highest peak in the Siachen area as part of Operation Rajiv.

  

 

During June 1987, the 8th J&K LI, was deployed in the Siachen area. It was then found that a large number of Pakistani infiltrators had intruded over the Siachen Glacier. The ejection of these infiltrators was considered difficult but necessary and a special task force was constituted for the purpose.

 

 

Naib Subedar Bana Singh volunteered to be a member of a task force constituted in June 1987 to clear an intrusion by an adversary in the Siachen Glacier area at an altitude of 21,000 feet. The post was virtually an impregnable glacier fortress with ice walls, 1500 feet high, on both sides. Naib Subedar Bana Singh led his men through an extremely difficult and hazardous route. He inspired them by his indomitable courage and leadership. The brave Naib Subedar and his men crawled and closed in on the adversary. Moving from trench to trench, lobbing hand grenades and charging with the bayonet, he cleared the post all intruders.

 

 

Nb Subedar Bana Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and leadership under the most adverse conditions. The peak was named as “Bana Post” in his honour. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal for his conspicuous gallantry and leadership.