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SHOCK AND ASSAULT (BURMA, 24-27 MAY 1943)Lest we Forget
Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM, Sr PATRON OF SANJHA MORCHA
Havildar Gaje Ghale, VC 2/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles (FF), now – the 2 nd/5 th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force), of the Indian Army today. An active battalion from 1858 to the present. Frontier Force units were a permanent fighting line on the Afghan Frontier. Before 1947, Gorkha was spelt as ‘Gurkha’. Havildar Gaje Ghale, VC, won the Victoria Cross for an assault so ferocious and determined that it broke a Japanese mountain strongpoint and became one of the defining actions of the Burma campaign. 2/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was under command the 153rd Infantry Brigade (originally under the reserve 5 th Infantry Division but attached to 17 Infantry Division for the Chin Hills operations.)
The Chin Hills form a rugged, forested mountain barrier between India and central Burma — Mizoram on one side, Chin State on the other. Elevations run 3,000–10,000 ft, with steep ridges, knife-edge spurs, and deep ravines. Movement is almost entirely on narrow tracks, often single-file, with monsoon mud turning slopes into slides. This terrain favoured: small-unit actions, closequarter assaults, and company-level dominance of ridgelines.
Hav Ghale’s platoon was ordered to assault a heavily fortified Japanese hill position dominating the surrounding terrain. The approach was steep, exposed, and swept by machine‑gun and grenade fire. Ghale was wounded early in the attack but refused evacuation. He led three successive charges up the slope, each time closing with the enemy in brutal close combat. Despite multiple wounds, he continued to shout encouragement, rallying his men every time they faltered. His final charge broke the Japanese line, allowing the Gurkhas to seize the position. His leadership turned what should have been a stalled attack into a decisive victory.
Ghale’s citation highlights •Magnificent courage • Unshakeable determination • Leadership that inspired his men to capture an almost impregnable position, His action demonstrated the shock‑assault doctrine that made Gurkha units legendary in jungle and mountain warfare. This kind of close quarter assault was the hallmark of Frontier Force Battalions. This was in contrast to the standard tactics of fire-and-move and required willingness to close in with the enemy, confidence in close combat and aggressive leadership at section and platoon level.
The 2/5 Gurkha Rifles was to become one of the most decorated battalions of WWII. The battalion fought in the hardest theatres of World War II – North Africa, Eritrea, Tunisia, Italy, and Burma. It consistently delivered shock-action infantry performance far above its weight. Gaje Ghale retired as a Sub Maj and passed away in 2000. His medal is perhaps privately held by his family. Jai Mahakali … Ayo Gorkhali, the war cry has done us proud …… The Gorkhas still carry to battle their curved, broadbladed heavy knife called the ‘Khukri’. It immediately spells fear for the enemy. …….. To be continued, because these stories must be told – Lest we Forge
OFFICERS TO SEPOY ALL ARE JAWANS (SOLDIERS) WEARING SAME UNIFORM SAYS Maj Gen SVP Singh, VSM
Sainik Welfare News · Original audio
From 1971 war stories to today’s Operation Sindoor style warfare, the Indian Army has changed in weapons, technology and battlefield thinking.
But some things have not changed: discipline, leadership, courage, responsibility and respect for the uniform.
In this powerful Sainik Welfare News podcast, Retired Maj Gen SVP Singh, VSM shares his experiences and insights on artillery, non contact warfare, leadership under pressure, veterans’ role in society, Agnipath,
DARING ACT WITH COURAGE OF COL GS ,COL SS NEGI TO RESCUE TOURIST STRANDED :GULMARG CABLE TROLLY
- During the rescue of Cabin no 8 …. in Gulmarg yesterday …stuck at critical ht differential, Col GS HAWS Col S S Negi ,VSM (Ex HAWS Instr) volunteered to climb up to the cabin and exec the rescue.
- Below are the videos of the same.
Sumdorong Chu: India-China standoff
Jalandhar Express: Gurindervir’s record run stirs national pride
IN just 10.09 seconds, Gurindervir Singh rewrote Indian athletics history. But the story of India’s fastest man was not built on a stopwatch alone. It was shaped on dusty village roads, exhausting commutes to training grounds and a father’s quiet sacrifices that rarely make headlines. The sprinter from Patial village near Jalandhar has become the first Indian to breach the 10.10-second barrier in the men’s 100m race. His feat at the Federation Cup in Ranchi has placed him among the country’s finest athletes and revived hopes of a Commonwealth Games medal.
Yet what makes Gurindervir’s achievement truly moving is its deeply human core. Reports of his father purchasing a second-hand scooter on EMIs so that his son could attend practice sessions capture the reality of Indian sport beyond cricket’s glamour. The sailor-athlete’s journey also highlights the role of the Indian Navy, which provided stability and support while he pursued excellence on the track. Many athletes from small towns survive on parental determination and sacrifice. Behind every national record often stands a family that silently gives up comfort, savings and security for a child’s ambition. Equally inspiring was Gurindervir’s interaction with young girls in Jalandhar before his historic run. His simple message — “Tusi vi ethe takk pahunchna hai” — carried extraordinary emotional force. For children growing up in villages and modest households, seeing someone from their own background shatter a national record expands the boundaries of possibility and self-belief.
Punjab has long produced sporting heroes through grit rather than privilege. From Flying Sikh Milkha Singh to Jalandhar Express Gurindervir, they all prove that talent flourishes when discipline, opportunity and family support come together. His dash is not merely about speed; the record may eventually be broken. It is about aspiration outrunning limitation and inspiring a generation to dream bigger.
With a silver at US event, Indian Army athlete Naib Subedar Gulveer Singhbreaks 5,000-metre national record
agging a silver medal in the 5,000-metre run at the Sound Running Track Fest in Los Angeles, an Indian Army athlete, Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh has set a new national record in the event.
He clocked 13:03.93 minutes. A total of 15 runners from different countries had participated in the finals, with the winner, Habtom Samuel of New Mexico, achieving a timing of 12:57.22 minutes.
“Breaking his own previous national record of 13:11.82 set in Japan in September 2024, the Army runner continues to redefine Indian distance running with grit, discipline and determination,” the Army said on Sunday.
Sound Running hosts highly competitive, festival-style track events in Los Angeles, designed to help athletes, both men and women chase fast times and Olympic and World Championship standards in different field disciplines such as running, hurdles, steeple chase and pole vault.
Belonging to the Army Sports Institute, Pune, Nb Sub Gulveer Singh had joined the Indian Army’s Grenadier Regiment in 2018 through the sports quota and has emerged as a seasoned long-distance runner. He has represented India in top international forums and has set multiple records.
In March this year, the 28-year-old athlete from Uttar Pradesh became the first Indian to run a sub-60 minutes half-marathon in 59 minutes and 42 seconds, finishing third at the New York City Half Marathon.
Gulveer is the current Asian champion in the 10,000-metres and 5,000-metres run, having won gold medals in both the events at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships held in South Korea.
Numerous Army sportspersons have made the mark at the international level and setting new precedents. The Army trains specially selected sportspersons at the Army Sports Institute, which is run in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India under the Army’s Mission Olympics programme.
Several disciplines such as shooting, archery, wrestling, rowing, fencing, and weightlifting have been identified for them. They are trained at the Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune, a premier training establishment.
The ASI was established in July 2001 as a multi-disciplinary institute to identify and nurture the vast talent of sportspersons within the Armed Forces Army and recruit potential sportspersons from across the country.
Meghalaya: Indie Rampur Hound shines at Indian Army’s multinational military exercise
Indian Army’s battle-trained dogs added a distinctive edge to Exercise PRAGATI 2026, demonstrating how canine units continue to play a crucial role in modern military operations, officials said on Tuesday.
Participating alongside troops from friendly foreign countries, the Army’s K9 warriors showcased their expertise in explosive detection, tracking and intervention operations, highlighting their importance in high-risk combat scenarios and multinational operational environments, they said.
The demonstrations featured Alan, a Belgian Malinois assault dog; Victor, a Rampur Hound tracker dog; and Deo, a Labrador trained in explosive detection.
Each dog displayed specialised operational capabilities, reflecting the versatility, discipline and mission readiness of Indian Army K9 teams, according to a statement by the Army here.
Officials said a key highlight of the exercise was the participation of the indigenous Rampur Hound, represented by Victor, underlining the Army’s increasing focus on integrating native breeds into operational roles as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Known for climatic adaptability, resilience and disease resistance, indigenous breeds are proving effective in varied operational conditions, from deserts to glaciers, they said.
The exercise also featured robotic dogs, showcasing the integration of emerging technologies with traditional military capabilities in future combat operations.
Officials said the joint display of robotic platforms and trained Army dogs presented a picture of technology and instinct working together to enhance operational effectiveness.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 brought together more than 400 soldiers from 12 countries for tactical drills and joint training aimed at enhancing interoperability and combat readiness. Since its commencement on May 20, the exercise has created a vital platform for participating armies to train jointly, exchange best practices, and enhance interoperability in a multinational setting.
Indian Navy thwarts piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden, saves oil-tanker MV Mashallah 1
The Indian Navy has thwarted a piracy attempt in western part of the Indian Ocean and saved oil-tanker ‘MV Mashallah 1’.
The Navy said on Wednesday that its warship INS Kolkatta, deployed around the Gulf of Aden, responded swiftly to inputs of pirate activity near merchant vessel MV Mashallah 1 in the Western Indian Ocean and undertook prompt action to investigate and deter the threat.
“This timely intervention ensured safety of the merchant vessel and prevented a possible piracy attack,” the Navy said.
A helicopter was launched from the deck of the INS Kolkatta and a team boarded ‘Mashallah 1’.
Since 2008, the Indian Navy has maintained a continuous anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden.
The Navy said it remains committed to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring safe and secure seas.
The INS Kolkatta was commissioned in 2014 and has a large indigenous combat component. The ship is packed with the most sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors including the vertically launched Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAM) coupled with the MF-STAR multi-function active phased array radar, which is fitted for the first time on an Indian Naval ship.
The ship is equipped with advanced supersonic and long-range BrahMos Surface to Surface Missiles – a joint Indo-Russian venture, and 76-mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM).
Canadian Punjabi climber Ajaypal Dhaliwal becomes 1st from community to summit Everest
While the summit marked a major personal milestone for Dhaliwal after years of preparation, the descent turned into a life-threatening ordeal in the ‘Death Zone’ above 8,000 metres
Ajaypal Singh Dhaliwal, a Canadian of Punjabi origin based in Brampton, Ontario, has become the first Canadian Punjabi to summit Mount Everest, surviving a near-fatal descent from the world’s highest peak.
Dhaliwal reached the 8,848.86-metre summit on May 20 as part of a record-breaking day when 274 climbers scaled Everest from the Nepal side. He was one of three Indians who summited that day, along with Tulasi Reddi Palpunoori and Sandeep Are.
The Expedition Operators’ Association of Nepal confirmed the single-day record of 274 summits, aided by favourable weather conditions.
While the summit marked a major personal milestone for Dhaliwal after years of preparation, the descent turned into a life-threatening ordeal in the ‘Death Zone’ above 8,000 metres.
According to a widely shared Facebook post by his friend Mohan Pal Randhawa, Dhaliwal was left stranded during the descent with critically low oxygen supplies after being abandoned by his Sherpa guide. Two climbers from the same expedition group — Sandeep Are and Arun Kumar Tiwari — died while descending.
Randhawa wrote: “This accomplishment belongs entirely to him… Not because he summited Everest. Many climbers dream of doing that. But because he came back alive from a place where some never do.”
In the extreme conditions of freezing winds, exhaustion and depleting oxygen, Dhaliwal reportedly improvised his descent by sliding down dangerous icy slopes using his safety belt. During one such manoeuvre, he crashed and lost consciousness.
Upon regaining awareness in darkness and brutal cold, he signalled for help by flicking his headlamp. A team of four climbers, including Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, spotted the signal, shared oxygen and assisted him continue the descend to safety.
Randhawa highlighted Dhaliwal’s resilience, saying, “Everest was not just testing his body. It was testing his courage to keep taking risks when fear had every reason to win.”
Dhaliwal’s journey from a known risk-taker to a focused mountaineer has been widely shared in the Punjabi and Canadian diaspora as an inspiring story of determination and survival.
