Mahavir Chakra (MVC)
Awardee: Hari Chand MVC
Citation
In 1948 Major Hari Chand was selected by the Commander-in-Chief, General K.M. Cariappa, to throw out the enemy from the Leh Sector. He led a column of sturdy Gorkhas, which took the unconventional route from Kulu to Leh across the virgin Himalayan ranges. It was accomplished when the Indian Army had no experience of mountain warfare. This paid dividend in that wewere able to win the race to Leh.
The fortress of Leh held out against repeated enemy attacks. The enemy was planning to bring field guns which would have changed the complexion of battle.
Major Hari Chand tooka handful of men and went 80 miles behind the enemy lines in most inhospitable terrain. After reducing an enemy position at an altitude of 18,000 ft, Major Hari Chand destroyed enemy ammunition and ordnance dumps. An enemy column was also ambushed and heavy casualties were inflicted on it. The commander of Pak forces in this sector just managed to escape. This forced the enemy to call off his attack to Leh and withdraw from this sector as fast as he could. For these acts of gallantry and outstanding leadership in the face of the enemy, Major Hari Chand was awarded the MahaVir Chakra.
In 1962, Lieutenant Colonel Hari Chand MVC was commanding a battalion, which was responsible for the defence of the airfield at Chushul. The cool planning and exemplary leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Hari Chand MVC enabled the battalion to inflict such heavy casualties on the enemy that the Chinese were forced to call offthe attackand the airfield was saved. For this operation, the battalion was awarded 17 decorations, including a Param Vir Chakra and a Maha Vir Chakra.
The fortress of Leh held out against repeated enemy attacks. The enemy was planning to bring field guns which would have changed the complexion of battle.
Major Hari Chand tooka handful of men and went 80 miles behind the enemy lines in most inhospitable terrain. After reducing an enemy position at an altitude of 18,000 ft, Major Hari Chand destroyed enemy ammunition and ordnance dumps. An enemy column was also ambushed and heavy casualties were inflicted on it. The commander of Pak forces in this sector just managed to escape. This forced the enemy to call off his attack to Leh and withdraw from this sector as fast as he could. For these acts of gallantry and outstanding leadership in the face of the enemy, Major Hari Chand was awarded the MahaVir Chakra.
In 1962, Lieutenant Colonel Hari Chand MVC was commanding a battalion, which was responsible for the defence of the airfield at Chushul. The cool planning and exemplary leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Hari Chand MVC enabled the battalion to inflict such heavy casualties on the enemy that the Chinese were forced to call offthe attackand the airfield was saved. For this operation, the battalion was awarded 17 decorations, including a Param Vir Chakra and a Maha Vir Chakra.