We are saddened to report the passing of a highly decorated World War Two veteran.
Colonel Harwant Singh MC passed away today aged 95 in Patiala. He was one of the few Indian awardees of the Military Cross. This award was instituted in 1914 in recognition of distinguished and meritorious service in battle.
Colonel Harwant Singh won his MC serving on the Gothic Line in Italy with the 2nd Sikh during the Second World War. He later commanded the 4th Sikhs (of Saragarhi fame).
After independence, Harwant Singh was best known for his stand with the 1st Sikh at Pattan, which saved the Kashmir Valley from the tribals.
In this photograph taken in 2005, Colonel Harwant Singh MC lays a wreath at the Sikh War Memorial in Baramulla.