Major Risal Singh Manhas VrC: A loyal soldier of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji of Jammu and Kashmir Riyasat
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Late Shri Risal Singh Manhas was born in a Hindu Dogra Rajput family to Thakur Kapoor Singh and Hukum Devi in Jammu on 21st May 1914. As a teenager, Risal Singh always wanted to join the army. His father wanted him to peruse traditional job of Zamindari of ancestral lands at Jajiyal areas of present day Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. But destiny favoured him to join the Armed forces, the “traditional job” of Dogras. He finally became a soldier of Jammu and Kashmir State forces under Maharaja Hari Singh ji. Maharaja Hari Singh ji recognized professional acumen and officer like qualities of Risal Singh. Maharaja Hari Singh ji personally selected Risal Singh Manhas as an officer in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Maharaja always believed in justice to his state subjects. Maharaja Hari Singh ji’s statement,” For me all communities, religions and races are equal. All religions are mine and justice is my religion” speaks thousand words of his greatness.
1 Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Battery of Jammu and Kashmir State Forces was re-raised on 22 January 1948. It was the only (single) battery in the Regiment (ideally there are 3 batteries in a Regiment). The battery saw action during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, where it provided effective artillery support to 77 Parachute Brigade during the Zoji-La operations.
Indian army launched operation Bison with an objective to liberate the Kargil by first capturing the Zoji-La (Zoji-La pass). This operation was done to establish the link with Leh (Ladakh). Captain Risal Singh Manhas was Battery 2nd-in-Command of 1 J and K Mountain battery which was in support of 77 Parachute Brigade during operations on 1st November 1948. In addition, he performed the duties of Forward Observation Officer (FOO) with every battalion that attacked. On 6th November 1948 he was in support of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles which attacked the Anant feature. As they advanced, the enemy opened fire but as Captain Risal Singh Manhas had registered various points on the feature, he was able to neutralize the hostile fire successfully. Throughout that night he with disregard for his personal safety, continued to observe and neutralize the enemy fire in bitterly cold weather.
On 8th November 1948 he was FOO with 1 Patiala and again supported the advance, by providing effective covering fire. In order to prevent screening, he had to occupy positions in the open under enemy fire.
On 14th /15th November 1948 Captain Risal Singh Manhas again acted as FOO with 1/5 Gorkha Rifles who attacked the Anant feature. He directed the fire with great coolness and accuracy although most of the time he himself was under enemy fire. This helped a great deal to capture the objective.
Captain Risal Singh Manhas was responsible for movement of battery with its guns, over a very difficult terrain. His management of gun positions and registration of targets was of very high professional order. During the closing stages of the battle, his battery was single-handedly, providing fire support to all the three battalions of the 77 Para Brigade. Throughout the advance from Dras to Zoji-La this officer worked with great skill, zeal and endurance in the most adverse conditions, which contributed greatly to the success of the operations. Captain Risal Singh Manha provided effective fire support during the operation in the Zoji-La Sector and facilitated the capture of objectives.
After the end of the Indo-Pak war, the Army Generals of both sides met for official exchange of Information. The Pakistan Army General had verbally recommended the exemplary professional work of 1 J and K Mountain battery and the officer in command, Captain Risal Singh Manhas. For display of his professional acumen,great skill, endurance and courage, he was awarded VirChakra on 26th January 1952 (Service number AC 110), 1 J and K Mountain Battery (15th November 1948).
Shri Risal Singh Manhas later retired as Major in the Indian army. After retirement he served as President of Rajput Sabha for few years and served the community. He left for the heavenly abode on 26thOctober 2006.
References
- Excerpts from Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, AVSM(Rtd), President J&K Ex-Services League, Jammu.
- ^ “Captain Risal Singh VrC”. Retrieved 2022-02-06
- “Gazette of India, No 17” (PDF). 1952-01-26. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
Author: Professor Dr Rahul Gupta is Maternal Grandson of Late Major Risal Singh Ji