AFVOA Newsletter of Year 2021

Section 5 – War Diary CV 2 No. 01 / 2021 Page 52 of 123 for me to take it or leave it. I quickly took the decision and agreed to Hira’s request. Without wasting time, I explained the manner in which I visualized the battle to develop and the possible enemy reactions and where I needed the fire support to blunt the enemy assault. Having understood the requirement, he worked out the Fire plan and told me that he will do his best. I informed Prakash of the development and told him that I will communicate with the Battalion Headquarters via the VM25 set with the Mortar Fire Controller (MFC).During the development of the battle, Hira provided the fire support brilliantly as planned and was successful in breaking the three assaults on our position. My battle action report had mentioned the excellent support provided by Capt. Hira and complimented his professional competence. He was A HIRA not only by his NAME but also in ACTION. In 1987, I was the Director NCC of the Tamil Nadu Directorate. To tie up the details of the administration for the NCC boys and Girls camp for the requirement of Milk, curd and Ice cream that was projected. I visited the office of the Director of the Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Corporation. At the waiting room, I found the name NS Hira IAS written on the board. I asked the PA whether the director was an Ex-Army officer. She replied in the affirmative and told us to wait since he was busy with a departmental meeting, I requested the PA to slip in my visiting card and give it to the director. She went in and, I did not know what happened. The director NS Hira virtually came running out of his office and to the amazement of everyone around, broke out in chaste Punjabi and embraced me and ushered me and my team to his spacious office and introduced me to his departmental heads to say that I was his war time company commander in the 1971 operations in East Pakistan. The Boys and Girls of the NCC camp had no problems and were enjoying the hospitality of the Director for the liberal and uninterrupted supply of ice cream! God Bless him - a casual war time acquaintance, becomes a lifelong Friend! How can one not remember the graphic details of that action that we fought and forced the enemy to surrender. The Duo, the CO and the Adjutant deserve all the praises for their bold decision and support to ensure success. I am blessed to narrate the events to remember and put on record their tenacity and devotion as they are no longer with us today. May their departed souls rest in eternal peace. Our team of officers of the Tenacious Tenth as we were then known, comprised of unforgettable brethren led by the venerable Commanding Officer, Lt Col (now late) MNB NAIR, towering personality Second in Command, Major (now late) NS GILL. Ever vigilant Adjutant Capt. (now late) PRAKASH CHAND, “Annadatha” Quarter Master Capt. (now late) NARAINDAS, RMO Capt. SHUKLA AMC, Int Officer Lt VK SHARMA, Support Company officers Capt. (now late) PSR HALLIKERI, Capt. AN TALUKDAR, Capt. BK SHARMA, Capt. VS JAMWAL, A Company Maj SM BAHAL, B Company Maj. JP SINGH and