Harbans Singh Virk
Lieutenant Colonel Harbans Singh Virk, MVC, DSO (1912–?) was an army officer who served in the British Indian army and later the Indian Army.[1]
Harbans Singh Virk MVC, DSO | |
|---|---|
| Died | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Allegiance | India |
| Service/ | Indian Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Service number | IEC-801 |
| Unit | 3 PARA (Martha Light Infantry) |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948 |
| Awards | Mahavir Chakra |
Background
Virk was born in village Chuhar Kanan, Sheikhupura, Punjab Province, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan).[2] After India's Partition, he appears to have settled in Kaithal, Haryana.[3]
Military career
World War II
Virk was commissioned in the Maratha Light Infantry, British Indian Army, on 4 August 1941.[4]
There is some uncertainty regarding his service number, as British records state it as 'IEC-801', while Indian records state it as 'IC-656'.[2][5]
Virk was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in displayed in Burma in March 1945, as a Major commanding a company in the 4th Battalion (Sikhs) of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, 17th Indian Division.[6][2]
Post-Independence
Virk was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra on India's first Republic Day, 26 January 1950, for his leadership and gallantry at Naushera and Jhangar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48 in Jammu and Kashmir.[1][5][4]
In 1953, he took command of 6 Kumaon Regiment.[7]
References
- "Virk, Harbans Singh". TracesOfWar.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
- Recommendation for Award for Harbans Singh Virk. National Archives. 1945.
- Yadav, Atul (2022). Valour Unlimited : Haryana and the Indian Armed Forces (1914-2000). K.K. Publications. p. 114.
- Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7023-516-3.
- "Gallantry Awards – Ministry of Defence, Government of India". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
- "Supplement to the London Gazette, 20 September 1945" (PDF).
- Samota, Jai (2023). Major Shaitan Singh, PVC: The Man In Half Light | A Complete Biography: Major Shaitan Singh, PVC: The Man In Half Light | A Complete Biography: Tribute to a War Hero. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5562-609-7.