Battle of OP Hill, 1965: Remembering the Seven Officers, Six JCOs and 158 Soldiers Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Battle for Mendhar’s Strategic Heights
The Battle of OP Hill, fought in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir in November 1965, remains an important chapter in the military history of the Indian Army. Fought after the ceasefire of 23 September 1965, the operation involved determined assaults against heavily defended positions, minefields, difficult mountainous approaches and intense enemy fire. The battle culminated in the recapture of the strategically important Chuni-Nar feature, known as OP Hill, after fierce fighting by troops of 2 Dogra, 5 Sikh Light Infantry and 7 Sikh, following an earlier unsuccessful assault by 2 Garhwal Rifles.
The victory came at a heavy cost. According to a report published by Daily Excelsior on 4 November 2015, marking the 50th anniversary commemoration of the battle, seven officers, six Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 158 other soldiers made the supreme sacrifice. Their courage and determination helped secure a position that had posed a serious threat to Indian defences and movement in the Mendhar sector.
Why OP Hill Was Strategically Important
OP Hill was part of the Chuni-Nar feature, situated south-west of the Mendhar-Balnoi road at an elevation of approximately 1,524 metres. Its commanding position provided a dominating view over Indian defensive locations and the road connecting Mendhar with Balnoi.
According to the Indian Army's official history of the 1965 war, Pakistani forces occupied the feature in early August 1965 and developed it into a strongly defended position. Its occupation gave the enemy an advantageous location for observing Indian positions and directing artillery fire.
From late September, Pakistani forces strengthened their positions and shelled the 2 Dogra base at Balnoi and Picket 636. The movement of vehicle convoys and large bodies of troops along the Mendhar-Balnoi road during daylight became increasingly difficult.
The continued occupation of the feature therefore presented a serious operational challenge. Its recapture was necessary to remove the threat to Indian positions and restore freedom of movement along this important route.
The Earlier Assault by 2 Garhwal Rifles
The first major Indian attempt to dislodge the enemy from OP Hill was undertaken by 2 Garhwal Rifles during the night of 6/7 October 1965.
By this stage, Pakistani forces had strengthened their positions with protected bunkers, wire obstacles and prepared defensive arrangements. The attacking troops encountered determined resistance and repeated counterattacks by the defenders.
The assault was repulsed with heavy losses. The Indian Army subsequently assessed that the position was more strongly defended than initially estimated and that a brigade-level operation would be required to recapture it.
Efforts were also made through United Nations military observers to secure the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from the feature. When these efforts failed, a decision was taken to mount a larger operation.
The Brigade-Level Operation: 2 November 1965
The operation was planned and executed by Brigadier B.S. Ahluwalia, Commander of 120 Infantry Brigade.
The brigade plan envisaged a phased assault against the different positions forming the OP Hill complex. The main responsibilities were assigned to 2 Dogra, 5 Sikh Light Infantry and 7 Sikh.
In the first phase, 2 Dogra was tasked with capturing Twin Pimples and Black Rocks, while 5 Sikh Light Infantry was assigned White Rocks. In the subsequent phase, 7 Sikh was tasked with capturing Jungle Hill and the remaining objectives.
The assaulting companies crossed the Cease-Fire Line at approximately 2200 hours on 2 November and moved towards their respective objectives under heavy enemy artillery and automatic fire.
2 Dogra: The Assault on Twin Pimples and Black Rocks
2 Dogra launched its attack with companies assigned to capture Twin Pimples and Black Rocks. The troops encountered extensive minefields, wire obstacles, artillery fire and heavily defended enemy positions.
C Company, supported by a platoon of A Company, moved against Twin Pimples. Despite suffering severe casualties from enemy shelling and automatic fire, the soldiers continued their advance. They crossed the minefields and wire obstacles and captured Twin Pimples following close-quarter fighting.
D Company, tasked with capturing Black Rocks, also faced heavy enemy fire and extensive obstacles. The assaulting sections suffered severe casualties, but the surviving soldiers continued to advance and created a breach through the defensive obstacles. With reinforcements from B Company, the attack continued, and Black Rocks was captured at approximately 0430 hours on 3 November.
The determination displayed by the men of 2 Dogra under extremely difficult conditions formed a crucial part of the brigade's wider operation.
Captain Gautam Mubayi: Maha Vir Chakra
One of the most distinguished acts of courage during the assault was displayed by Captain Gautam Mubayi of 2 Dogra, who was commanding a platoon in the leading company.
On the night of 2/3 November 1965, his company was ordered to capture a strongly defended feature in the Mendhar sector. The enemy position was protected by a minefield, wire obstacles, automatic weapons, mortars and artillery.
When the company's assault was held up by intense enemy fire and casualties caused by the minefield, Captain Mubayi volunteered to lead his platoon forward and establish a bridgehead. He crawled ahead, personally cut through the wire and led his men across the minefield.
A mine severely wounded his leg, but he refused to stop or be evacuated. Continuing to encourage his men, he established a foothold on the objective with only a handful of surviving soldiers.
An enemy light machine gun firing from an enfilading position continued to cause casualties. Captain Mubayi rushed towards the bunker and threw a grenade, silencing the position. He continued moving between posts, encouraging his men to hold their ground despite heavy enemy fire.
While urging his men forward, he was mortally wounded by a burst from a Browning machine gun. He made the supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of the Indian Army.
For his extraordinary courage and inspiring leadership, Captain Gautam Mubayi was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest wartime gallantry award. His citation was published in the Government of India's Gazette on 12 February 1966.
Second Lieutenant D.S. Sauran: The Unexpected Approach
Another officer of 2 Dogra whose actions are recorded in published accounts of the battle was Second Lieutenant D.S. Sauran.
During the assault, his platoon advanced towards an enemy position known as the 'Tit' using a difficult and unexpected route from behind the enemy defences. The approach surprised the defenders, who abandoned the position in haste.
His platoon's advance was an important part of the battalion's effort to overcome the prepared enemy positions. His name deserves to be recorded alongside the other officers and soldiers of 2 Dogra who took part in the operation.
The Human Cost to 2 Dogra
The battalion's assault was successful, but the price was severe. A published military account records that 2 Dogra lost three officers, one JCO and 59 other ranks during the operation, while more than 120 personnel were wounded.
These figures reflect the intensity of the fighting faced by the battalion at Twin Pimples, Black Rocks and the surrounding objectives. The individual names of all those who made the supreme sacrifice have not been established through a complete, independently verified nominal roll available for this article. They deserve to be identified through the battalion's official memorial and regimental records rather than through unverified lists.
5 Sikh Light Infantry: The Southern Assault
5 Sikh Light Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh, was assigned the task of capturing White Rocks through the southern approach. This route was particularly difficult because of its steep terrain and limited space for deployment.
The battalion began moving towards its forming-up positions during the evening of 2 November. The approach involved difficult movement over steep ground, with troops following a carefully marked route under the threat of enemy fire.
The attacking companies advanced close to the enemy positions before launching their assault. They encountered extensive minefields, artillery concentrations, automatic weapons and grenades. The fighting quickly developed into fierce close-quarter engagements.
The soldiers continued towards their objectives despite suffering heavy casualties. The troops pressed forward with extraordinary determination, even when seriously wounded, refusing to allow the intensity of enemy fire to stop the assault.
After fierce fighting, the battalion captured its crucial objectives. Its companies pressed forward and captured OP Hill ahead of the planned schedule. The troops also secured Twin Trees, helping bring the Chuni-Nar feature under Indian control.
The battalion suffered 40 other-rank fatalities and 142 wounded during the operation, according to the published military account.
Naik Darshan Singh: Courage Beyond the Call of Duty
Among the most extraordinary acts of courage recorded during the Battle of OP Hill was that of Naik Darshan Singh of 5 Sikh Light Infantry.
On the night of 2/3 November 1965, he was commanding the leading section of an assault company assigned to clear an enemy bunker where Pakistani forces had positioned a Browning machine gun. His approach lay over steep terrain that was extensively mined and wired and dominated by small-arms fire.
When his men encountered a minefield, Naik Darshan Singh led them forward in an attack. A mine explosion blew off his left leg. Despite the devastating injury, he refused evacuation and continued crawling towards the enemy positions, encouraging his men to carry on with the assault.
He crawled towards the wire obstacles and cut through them. Another mine exploded, severely wounding him. Unmindful of his injuries, he dragged himself towards an enemy bunker and threw a grenade into it.
Encouraged by his action, the remaining men of his section charged another bunker and silenced the enemy machine gun. Although the entire section became casualties, their action paved the way for the success of the company.
Even while mortally wounded, Naik Darshan Singh continued shouting instructions to the following soldiers, directing them along the route his section had cleared of mines. He made the supreme sacrifice.
For his exceptional courage, leadership and devotion to duty, Naik Darshan Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
7 Sikh: The Battle for Jungle Hill
7 Sikh was assigned the subsequent phase of the brigade operation, with the responsibility of capturing Jungle Hill and the remaining objectives.
The battalion moved towards its forming-up positions on the night of 2 November. Its companies encountered heavy enemy artillery and automatic fire while advancing towards Jungle Hill.
Despite the resistance, the troops continued their assault. A fierce close-quarter engagement followed, and the enemy was eventually evicted from Jungle Hill. The position was captured by Indian troops on 3 November 1965.
Captain Sansar Singh of 7 Sikh was among the personnel recognised with the Vir Chakra for his gallantry during the operation.
The Gallantry Recognised After the Battle
The courage displayed during the Battle of OP Hill was recognised through several gallantry awards.
Among the individual awards associated with the battle were:
Lieutenant Colonel Sant Singh, 5 Sikh Light Infantry
Awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership and gallantry during the assault.
Captain Gautam Mubayi, 2 Dogra
Posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for leading his platoon through minefields and wire obstacles and continuing the assault despite mortal wounds.
Naik Darshan Singh, 5 Sikh Light Infantry
Posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his extraordinary courage after losing his leg to a mine and continuing to lead his men.
Captain Sansar Singh, 7 Sikh
Recognised with the Vir Chakra for his gallantry during the fighting.
The battle also resulted in other gallantry decorations and commendations for the personnel involved.
The Supreme Sacrifice: Seven Officers, Six JCOs and 158 Soldiers
The victory at OP Hill came at an enormous human cost. A report published by Daily Excelsior on 4 November 2015, following the Indian Army's 50th anniversary commemoration, recorded that seven officers, six Junior Commissioned Officers and 158 jawans made the supreme sacrifice during the battle.
The same report stated that the gallantry of the personnel involved was recognised through three Maha Vir Chakras, three Vir Chakras, 13 Sena Medals and 11 Chief of Army Staff Commendations.
These figures relate to the battle as a whole and not to any single battalion. Among the individual memorial records available, the names of 37 personnel of 5 Sikh Light Infantry have been documented, comprising three JCOs and 34 other ranks.
The Fallen Soldiers of 5 Sikh Light Infantry
The following 37 names and service numbers are reproduced from the published memorial record of 5 Sikh Light Infantry personnel who made the supreme sacrifice during the OP Hill operation.
Junior Commissioned Officers
- Subedar Naurang Singh - JC-23036
- Subedar Piara Singh - JC-18170
- Naib Subedar Sadhu Singh - JC-30541
Other Ranks
- Havildar Teja Singh - 4432887
- Lance Havildar Charan Singh - 4434776
- Naik Jagat Singh - 4436902
- Naik Darshan Singh - 9025630
- Lance Naik Diwan Singh - 4437075
- Lance Naik Swaran Singh - 4438675
- Lance Naik Ajit Singh - 2442138
- Sepoy Sarup Singh - 4443147
- Sepoy Piara Singh - 4436690
- Sepoy Gurnam Singh - 4436860
- Sepoy Gurmeet Singh - 4438695
- Sepoy Surjit Singh - 4438809
- Sepoy Karam Singh - 4438930
- Sepoy Sham Singh - 4438934
- Sepoy Pritam Singh - 4438945
- Sepoy Dayal Singh - 4439073
- Sepoy Hari Singh - 4439194
- Sepoy Gulzar Singh - 4439388
- Sepoy Bagga Singh - 4440513
- Sepoy Sewak Singh - 4440961
- Sepoy Gurdev Singh - 4441020
- Sepoy Kapur Singh - 4442742
- Sepoy Hansa Singh - 4442751
- Sepoy Darshan Singh - 4442949
- Sepoy Gurnam Singh - 4443031
- Sepoy Sohan Singh - 4443127
- Sepoy Gurdev Singh - 4443135
- Sepoy Babu Singh - 4443143
- Sepoy Jasmer Singh - 4443148
- Sepoy Piara Singh - 4443213
- Sepoy Bachan Singh - 4443324
- Sepoy Nath Singh - 4443337
- Sepoy Sant Singh - 4443613
- Sepoy Swaran Singh - 4443677
Remembering the Bravehearts of OP Hill
The Battle of OP Hill was fought over a series of commanding heights in the Mendhar sector, but its significance extended far beyond the capture of a geographical feature. The operation demanded extraordinary courage from soldiers advancing through minefields, wire obstacles and heavily defended positions under intense enemy fire.
The men of 2 Dogra, 5 Sikh Light Infantry and 7 Sikh, together with the earlier assault by 2 Garhwal Rifles, formed part of this difficult chapter of the 1965 war. Their collective efforts secured the Chuni-Nar feature and removed a major threat to Indian positions and movement along the Mendhar-Balnoi road.
The published record of seven officers, six JCOs and 158 soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice gives an indication of the human cost of this victory. Behind these figures were individuals who left their homes, families and loved ones to fulfil their military responsibilities.
The 37 names of 5 Sikh Light Infantry reproduced here are a part of that larger history. The names of the fallen personnel of 2 Dogra also deserve to be documented in full. Captain Gautam Mubayi's gallantry citation and the recorded actions of Second Lieutenant D.S. Sauran provide important individual accounts of the battalion's contribution.
Every soldier who took part in the operation, whether identified in the available records or not, remains part of the history of OP Hill. Their service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered beyond the pages of regimental histories.
To the seven officers, six Junior Commissioned Officers and 158 soldiers reported to have made the supreme sacrifice in the Battle of OP Hill, and to every member of 2 Dogra, 5 Sikh Light Infantry, 7 Sikh and 2 Garhwal Rifles who served in this operation.
Their courage, devotion to duty and sacrifice remain an enduring part of India's military history.
Honouring Bravery. Preserving Their Stories.
