Introduction
Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu was born on 10 September 1941 in Khanewal in Multan District of present-day Pakistan, and post partition his family settled in Jullundur, Punjab.
He owes his lineage to an illustrious Jat Sikh family with a rich tradition in soldiering and was a sixth-generation soldier. His maternal grandfather Major Thakur Singh had fought as part of 47 SIKH (now 5 SIKH) during World War I in the Battle of Neuve Chapel in France where he was severely wounded and decorated with the Military Cross for his act of gallantry. He was later also Mentioned in Despatches and subsequently awarded the OBE. His father Lieutenant Colonel Gurdial Singh Pannu saw action in World War II, the Indo -Pak War of 1947/48 and the Sino- Indian War of 1962 where he was taken as a prisoner of war in Bomdilla in November 1962 when commanding 3 JAK RIF and remained in China till repatriated in May 1963.
Major Devinderjit Singh Pannu along with his two younger brothers Colonel NJS Pannu and Harmohinderjit Singh Pannu received their education from the Lawrence School Sanawar. Major Pannu joined the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasala where he was awarded a Blue in Football went to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun where he was awarded a Blue in Polo. He was an excellent sportsman and a great shikari.
He was commissioned into 5 SIKH, his maternal grandfathers Battalion on 10 June 1962. The Sikh Regiment, known for its intrepid soldiers, has carved a name for itself with scores of battle honours. One of the highest decorated Regiments of the Indian Army it came into existence on 01 August 1846, with the raising of Ferozepore Sikhs and Ludhiana Sikhs by Captain G Tebbs and Lieutenant Colonel P Gordon.
The son of an Army officer, Major Pannu was a soldier at heart and soon evolved into a no-nonsense and committed soldier who set his standards high. In his Army career Major Pannu was first posted to Poonch and then moved with his Battalion to Nagaland where he was part of Counter Insurgency Operations. He had also served as an Instructor at the Officers Training Academy in Madras (now Chennai).
As the tensions with Pakistan escalated in 1971, 5 SIKH was deployed in the Chhamb-Jaurian Sector of Jammu & Kashmir as part of Operation Cactus Lily. By this time, Major Pannu had put in about nine years of service and gathered substantial experience in various challenging operations.
The Dynamics of Chhamb
Chhamb was a small village in an Indian Enclave on the West of the Manawar Tawi which provided India a firm base for launching an offensive towards Bhaddar on the sensitive Gujrat-Bhimber axes and thereafter advancing on to Kharian.
The terrain in Chhamb is predominantly open, with seasonal nullahs scattered throughout. The Chenab River, flowing from Northeast to Southwest, poses a significant barrier to crossing, as there is only one road bridge near Akhnur. The Manawar Tawi, which flows North to South, feeds into the Chenab above the Marala Headworks and can be crossed at Mandiala, Chhamb, Darh, and Raipur during winter. The region West of the river features undulating land which is tankable, with some exceptions. The Southern part of Chhamb is low-lying on both sides of the Manawar Tawi and is characterised by dense growth of sarkanda. When the river level is high, the area can become boggy, but it is typically dry and firm at other times. To the North, there are low hills and ravines, with the steep Kalidhar Range in the background. These hills and the Chenab River to the south create a funnel effect leading to Akhnur, where all routes converge toward Jammu across the river.
Tactically, Pakistan had a strategic advantage in Chhamb, as the Chenab River secures its Southeastern flank during its offensive. Proximity to Sialkot and internal communication lines allowed Pakistan to maintain a numerical superiority. In contrast, India faced challenges with the river behind them. Further the Ceasefire Agreement, India restricted deploying more troops in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chhamb was crucial for both nations. If Pakistan initiated an offensive through Chhamb as it did in 1965, it could pose a threat to Jammu. Capturing the Akhnur Bridge would disrupt the main supply route for Indian forces stationed West of the Chenab. Conversely, an Indian pre-emptive strike could hinder the movement of Pakistani troops from the Kharian-Jhelum area towards the Lahore and Sialkot Sectors. The operational responsibility of Chhamb and Sunderbani-Kalidhar Sectors lay with 10 Infantry Division which was commanded by Major General (later Lieutenant General) Jaswant Singh.
Major General Jaswant Singh, had planned for an offensive, termed as ‘the forward poise’. The plan was that 191 and 52 Infantry Brigades would hold the firm base, 68 Infantry Brigades would establish a Bridgehead across the Ceasefire Line, and eventually 68 and 52 Infantry Brigades, supported by armour, would launch the offensive. But on 01 December, it was learnt that Pakistan was likely to launch a pre-emptive attack within the next 72 hours. This forced a reversal of operational plan. The Division was thus placed in a situation where it needed to take up a proper defensive posture, though the preparations till then had been made for an offensive.
68 Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier (later Major General) Tom Morlin, comprised 5/8 GORKHA RIFLES, 9 JAT and 7 KUMAON), which was to launch the offensive, was kept concentrated at Akhnur along with the supporting Armoured Regiment DECCAN HORSE commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) HN Hoon. 52 Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier KK Nayyer, was located at Akhnur to ward off any Pak attack on the Bridge through the Chicken’s Neck. 28 Infantry Brigade, located on the Northern flank of Chhamb, was made responsible for the defence of the area from Sunderbani to Laleali and down to Dewa. Thus, the Divisional forces were neither organised for a planned offensive nor for an effective defence.
191 Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier (later Lieutenant General) comprised of 5 SIKH which was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) PK Khanna, 5 ASSAM, 4/1 GORKHA RIFLES and 10 GARHWAL RIFLES occupied defences on the line Mandiala Heights-Gurha-Phagla-Barsala-Jhanda-Manawar-Chhati Tahli-Nawan-Hamirpur.
The Screens/Patrols were maintained up to the International Border and the Ceasefire Line. Mines had been laid all along the Ceasefire Line. However, the minefield from Barsala to Jhanda was a dummy one, as the Division had planned to launch an offensive through this area. When there was a change of plan on 01 December, efforts were made to lay protective minefields in the dummy minefield area also.
This task had not been completed when Pakistan 23 Infantry Division reinforced with artillery of 17 Infantry Division, two Azad Kashmir Brigades and two Armoured Regiments plus an (Independent) Armoured Squadron attacked the deployed Indian 191 Infantry Brigade on night 03/04 December which was responsible for defending Chhamb.
After heavy fighting 191 Infantry Brigade vacated Chhamb and the area around on 06 December and withdrew East of the river. Tenacious defence by 5 SIKH, 5 ASSAM, 4/1 GORKHA RIFLES and aggressive actions by DECCAN HORSE and 72 Armoured Regiment which had been placed under command from 3 (Independent) Armoured Brigade helped in blunting the Pakistani offensive, A shallow bridge head that had been established by Pakistan’s 23 Infantry Brigade was beaten back the next day. During the battle the Pakistani Divisional Commander was killed in a helicopter crash. The situation finally stabalised on 11 December.
The Unmatched Commitment by Major Pannu
In the area held by 5 SIKH, 5 ASSAM and 4/1 GORKHA RIFLES, battles raged throughout, interspersed by Pakistani air attacks and intense shelling. Pakistanis launched major attacks on 5 SIKH positions at Point 303, Phagla and Gurha. In the attack on Point 303, Maj Devinderjit Singh Pannu’s
Major Pannu (third from the right)
Alpha Company was occupying a key position for the defence of Chhamb, when the enemy launched an attack on the night of 03/04 December 1971. He immediately rushed to one of his Platoons occupying a Screen Position at the Moel Border Outpost when he learnt that hostilities were imminent so as to ensure that the Post was not surprised and held out against the enemy attack. The attack continued throughout that night and thereafter for sixteen hours but Major Pannu held on gallantly along with his troops against heavy enemy pressure after it had been completely surrounded. He then withdrew to his main position where his Company valiantly faced Battalion strength attacks by the enemy on the night of 04/05 December. The Pakistani’s brought everything down on his Company yet he and his men kept thwarting the enemy back and he took it on himself to keep their morale high, by fighting by their side.
Major Pannu repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms and artillery fire while moving from one locality to another, unmindful of his own safety inspiring his men to repulse the enemy attack. However, as the position was of strategic importance to the enemy, it launched another Battalion attack on 5th December morning, preceded by heavy artillery fire. Major Pannu once again swung into action and ordered his soldiers to retaliate forcefully. He kept moving from trench to trench, motivating his men with the war cry of the Regiment, “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”. However, while doing so, Major Pannu got hit by a shell and was martyred.
By his inspiring leadership and gallant actions Major DS Pannu was instrumental in not only blunting the attacks but also in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He displayed relentless grit, unmatched determination and a sacred sense of duty and loyalty r during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for displaying gallantry, determination, and leadership of a high order. The CO of 5 SIKH Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) PK Khanna was awarded the Mahavir Chakra. 5 SIKH had stood their ground with valour for the soil of Chhamb.
Reinforcing a Tradition
In keeping with the rich tradition of honouring and respecting its its fallen soldiers the Battalion Memorial at Akhnoor was inaugurated in December 1972 and since then an Akhand Path has been held every year on 05 December without a break notwithstanding where the Battalion is located.
The function is attended by a large number of ex officers, JCO’s and OR’s as well as family members as well as serving personnel. Major Pannu’s parents Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs Gurdial Singh Pannu attended this function every year till they were alive and this tradition is now being carried out by his two younger brothers Colonel NJS Pannu and Harmohinderjit Singh Pannu.
