Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai was the Commanding Officer of 1 Sikh.  Immediately on landing at Srinagar, on 27 October 1947, he appreciated that it was imperative to hold and oppose the raiders as far away as possible from the vital city of Srinagar and its adjacent airfield.

As very little time was at his disposal, he personally conducted reconnaissance and operations at such personal risk that he was eventually killed. By his complete disregard of personal danger and his determined and inspired leadership, the raiders were stopped sufficiently far away to enable a build-up for the eventual decisive defeat.

The officer gave his life in a successful endeavour to save Srinagar by displaying courage of the highest order.