Nestled along the Kishanganga River in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, Tithwal is a unique village located 82 km from Kupwara. Divided by the river, the Indian half is called Tithwal, while the Pakistani side is known as Chilhana. Famous for its thriving walnut orchards, Tithwal also boasts the Tithwal International Bridge, one of the key crossing points along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.
The Battle of Tithwal, one of the fiercest and longest engagements of the 1947-48 India- Pakistan conflict, witnessed intense fighting over the strategically significant village of Tithwal. Initially, Pashtun tribal militias crossed the border and occupied Tithwal, located on the Indian side, leading to repeated clashes as both sides vied for control. The attackers aimed to capture Richhmar Gali, south of Tithwal, and Nastachun Pass to the east, both held by the Indian Army. On October 13, 1948, the Pakistan Army launched a massive offensive to seize Indian-held positions. However, their efforts were thwarted, resulting in heavy casualties, as Indian troops displayed extraordinary courage and resilience. 1 SIKH, 1 MADRASS and 6 RAJ RIF battalions played a pivotal role in the battle, with their soldiers demonstrating exceptional bravery. The indomitable spirit and determination of the Indian Army ensured that Tithwal remained under Indian control. It was a battle in which two Param Veer Chakras were awarded.
CITATION
Company Havildar Major Piru Singh
6th BATTALION THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES (NO 2831592)
South of Tithwal, ‘D’ Company, of which No 2831592 Piru Singh, was Havildar Major was detailed to attack and capture an enemy occupied hill feature. The enemy had well dug in positions and had sited his MMGs so as to cover all possible approaches. As the attack advanced, it was met with heavy MMG fire from both flanks. Volleys of grenades were hurled down from enemy bunkers. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was then with the forward most Section of the company.
Seeing more than half of the Section killed or wounded, he did not lose courage. With battle cries he encouraged the remaining men and rushed forward with great determination onto the nearest enemy MMG position. Grenade splinters ripping his clothes and wounding him at several places, he continued to advance without the least regard for his safety. He was on top of the MMG position wounding the gun crew with Sten gun fire. With complete disregard to his bleeding wounds he made a mad jump on the MMG crew bayoneting them to death, thus silencing the gun.
By then he suddenly realized that he was the sole survivor of the section, the rest of them either dead or wounded. Another grenade thrown at him wounded him in the face. With blood dripping from his face wounds in his eyes, he crawled out of the trench, hurling grenades at the next enemy position.
CITATION
Lance Nair Karam Singh
1 SIKH (NO 22356)
Tithwal in Jammu and Kashmir was captured on 23 May 1948. After that date, the enemy made numerous attempts to recapture Richmar Gali, and thence Tithwal. On 13 October 1948, coinciding with Id, the enemy decided to launch a brigade attack to retake Richmar Gali, and bypassing Tithwal, advance into the Srinagar Valley . Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a section at Richmar Gali.
The enemy commenced its attack with heavy shelling of guns and mortars. The fire was so accurate that not a single bunker in the platoon locality was left unscathed.
Communication trenches caved in. Bravely, Lance Naik karam Singh went from bunker to bunker, giving succor to the wounded and urging the men to fight.
The enemy launched eight separate attacks that day. In one such attack, the enemy managed to obtain a foothold in the platoon locality. Immediately, Lance Naik Karam Singh, who was severely wounded by then, with a few men, hurled himself in a counter-attack and evicted the enemy after a close quarter encounter which accounted for many enemy dead, having been dispatched by the bayonet.
Lance Naik Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless leader of men in crisis. Nothing could subdue him and no amount of fire or hardship could break his spirit.
Srinagar → Tithwal (168 km) → Back to Srinagar
