Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 18 September 1965, Major Dhirendra Nath Singh was commanding a company of Kumaon Regiment which was ordered to capture Keri. The assaulting platoons which rushed forward soon ran into an enemy minefield covered by LMGs, MMGs and artillery fire, as a result of which they sustained a number of casualties. Major Singh immediately moved in front and encouraged his men to cross the minefield and to charge the enemy. He himself led the charge, but almost immediately he was injured by a mine. He lost a leg and was lying wounded in the minefield when he saw an enemy MMG firing from a nearby bunker. He crawled forward and, taking an LMG from one of his men started firing at the enemy MMG and silenced it. Under his able leadership, the post was captured by his men after fierce hand-to-hand fighting.

In this action, Major Dhirendra Nath Singh displayed undaunted courage, determination and leadership of a high order.