Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 11 September, 1965, during the battle for the capture of Phillora in Pakistan, Risaldar Kartar Singh was the point troop leader when one of his tanks was suddenly hit and set on fire by enemy tanks at a range of approximately 600 yards. Risaldar Kartar Singh quickly appreciated that he was in enemy ambush of tanks of approximately one squadron and recoilless guns. Disregarding his personal safety, he charged forward in his tank and shot three Patton tanks, thereby creating panic and confusion among the enemy troops. Under heavy enemy tank and artillery fire, he jumped out of his burning tank, rescued the injured crew and resumed his advance with the two remaining tanks. Soon after, while going in for the assault on Phillora ridge, the squadron came under recoilless gun fire from the flank. He instantly changed direction and changed the recoilless gun position and silenced it. On 14 September, in the assault on Wazinvali, he repeated his earlier performance of rescuing the crew of a tank which had been set ablaze by enemy fire. Throughout the action, he was subjected to intense small arms, mortar, tank and artillery fire. Having rescued the crew he was himself mortally wounded when re-entering his tank. 

He laid down his life so that his comrades might live on. Risaldar Kartar Singh displayed exemplary courage, determination and selfless devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Army.