Early life:

Shaheed Major Harbans Singh Chahal was born in the village of Mohanpura in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan on 6th December 1938 to Sardar Avtar Singh Chahal and Sardarni Dalip Kaur. 

He completed his primary education in Mohanpura school and graduated from Khalsa High School, Sri Ganganagar in 1956. Even during that time of innocence, Major Chahal was one of the most famous and special students of his school. 

Impressive Energetic Youth:

Having completed his BA degree from the prominent Birla Arts College, Pilani, Major Chahal was an extremely top class player in both school and college. In 1961, he was declared the best player in Birla Arts College, Pilani. In the same year, he was also elected the Vice President of the College Union. In 1962, he was equally elected Vice President of Youth Hostel Association while the former Chief Minister Shri Barkatullah Khan was the President. 

In 1963, he took admission in the renowned Aligarh Muslim University for M.A., LL.B. and in the same year he was elected as a member of the Aligarh Muslim University Cabinet which was an impossible position for a nonMuslim student to achieve at the time. He received the University colours for being the champion of athletics of Rajasthan University. 

Sports Enthusiast:

Major Harbans Singh Chahal was a firm believer in the power of sports helping shape character and strengthen bonds.

Major Chahal was mentored by none other than the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, often hailed as the “Wizard of Hockey.” With Dhyan Chand’s guidance, Major Harbans Singh showcased remarkable talent, winning several awards. He portrayed these values of discipline, dedication, and perseverance both in his service and on the field. 

A Life Changing Decision:

While he was pursuing his MA, LL.B, he was selected in the Indian Army through the Emergency Commission. He was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun on 8 February 1964 and was selected in the Regular Commission from Jabalpur in 1966. He remained in Grenadier Regimental Centre, Nasirabad…… He remained in Grenadier Regimental Centre, Nasirabad from February 1964 to July 1965. Even after joining the service, he secured first place in discus throwing in the Inter Zonal Delhi-Rajasthan region sports competition of 1964-65 in Delhi. 

In Service to the Nation:

During the Indo-Pak war in 1965, he remained in NEFA at an altitude of 14000 feet from July 1965 to May 1968. He moved to Jaipur with his unit in May 1968 and stayed in Jaipur till February 1969.

He passed the High Altitude War Training Course in NEFA. He passed Weapons Course and JC Course at Mhow Infantry School. 

He moved to Rajouri Sector in Kashmir with his unit in February 1969 and remained there till his last moments of life.

During the Indo-Pak war, he fought against the enemy forces in Poonch Sector from 4 December to 11 December and to stop the enemy from advancing, he foiled the biggest attack with his team of bravehearts. After this, he was called from Rajouri Sector and was asked to capture a big post of the enemy.

This post was 2 miles inside the border of Pakistan at an altitude of 1700 feet and the temperature there was less than zero. On the night of the 13th, he attacked the enemy post with his jawans. From the front, the enemy forces also started responding to the attack in every way. The enemy’s artillery started firing shells in large numbers. Seeing his strong, powerful & enthusiastic attack, the enemy’s morale was immediately broken and the enemy ran away leaving their first two small posts. 

The Final Battle: 

Due to unknown reasons, our artillery was stopped, to which the enemy’s morale increased and the enemy started gaining foothold on the large post. 

After Major Chahal launched his attack, he was initially shot in his left arm by the enemy, but remained unbothered & unaffected showcasing true resilience & power. After some time, a mine exploded and one of his legs was injured. At that time, his fellow soldiers were adamant he be taken back due to his severe injury but Major Chahal’s intentions were firm on capturing the post. 

Major Chahal believed, “If I leave now, who will fight with my jawans & accomplish capturing the post? How will our battalion’s flag remain flying high? How will our regiment’s name remain untarnished? Don’t worry about me, I am fine. Keep moving forward bravely, victory will be ours.” 

Most of the soldiers in Major Chahal’s company, including his own lineage, were Rajputs, therefore despite being injured, his motivation remained steadfast emphasizing to them, “You are the descendants of Maharana Pratap. You are all brave soldiers, keep moving forward, we have reached close to our goal, now we will conquer & capture it.” 

Despite his irreparable wounds, he kept fighting and moved one kilometer towards the post on the hill with the help of one leg and proudly hoisted the victory flag on the post. In the same moment, a cannonball fell and Major Harbans Singh Chahal attained eternal martyrdom on 14 December 1971 at 5:30 am.