BrigadierSant Singh,MVC& Bar (1921–2015) was an officer in the Indian Army. He was one of the six officers of the Indian Army to have been twice decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest war time military decoration. He was one of the Indian officers involved in training the Mukti Bahini, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. The Bangladeshi freedom fighters fondly called “Brigadier Babaji” because of his attire – typical Sikh turban and beard and affectionate attitude.[2]
Early life
Sant Singh was born in Jat family on 12 July 1921 in Panjgrain Kalan in Faridkot, Punjab. He studied in Brijendra High School, Faridkot and RSD College, Ferozpur. [2][1]
Military career
Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry on 16 February 1947 on a short-service commission, receiving a regular commission in the Indian Army as a lieutenant on 15 August 1951.[3] He took over as the commander of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1964 and led the regiment to victory in the Battle of OP Hill in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
On the night of the 2nd/3rd November 1965, Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh was given the task of clearing an objective which notwithstanding the cease-fire had been encroached upon by Pakistani fortes. This was a difficult feature and strongly defended by the enemy. Despite enemy mines and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh moved forward with his men, charged the enemy and, after a bitter hand to hand fight, cleared the objective. Later, taking advantage of his position, Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh moved from bunker to bunker in the face of heavy enemy artillery and automatic fire encouraging his men and cleared another objective which also had been encroached upon by Pakistani forces.
Throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership of a high order.
He remained as the commander of the regiment till 1968. He was promoted to acting brigadier and given command of an infantry brigade on 28 August 1969.[5] He was also instrumental in training the guerrilla forces of the Mukti Bahini and his brigade marched into Dhaka, after catching the Pakistani forces off guard, and thereby forcing the enemy to surrender.
Brigadier Sant Singh, MVC, while commanding a sector on the Eastern Front achieved spectacular results with a mixed force having only one regular battalion, advancing thirty-eight miles almost on loot, to secure Mymensingh and Madhopur in eight days. During this advance, inspite of very stiff opposition from (he enemy, he cleared heavily defended positions at several places. Throughout these actions, Brigadier Sant Singh personally led and directed the troops, exposing himself to enemy Medium Machine Gun fire and shelling. His personal gallantry, leadership, skilful handling of meagre resources, audacity, improvisation and maximum use of local resources were responsible for tho successful and rapid advance against much stronger enemy in well prepared defensive positions. Throughout, Brigadier Sant Singh displayed conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army.
On 10 March 1972, Singh was given command of an infantry brigade.[7] He retired on 12 July 1973 after 26 years of service.[8][9]
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