Param Vir Chakra: Abdul Hamid

September 1965 Pakistan waged war against India for the second time. Her basic aim, as always, was the annexation of the
state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Pakistan planned her offensive in three phases. Phase 1. An offensive in the Rann on Kutch
to try out her newly acquired weapons gifted by the US. Phase 2. To infiltrate a force of 30,000 guerrillas across the Cease Fire
Line (CFL). Phase 3. To launch an offensive across the CFL and the International border (IB) to capture Akhnur and to cut the
Line of Communication (LOC) between Jammu and Poonch. India responded by an offensive across the International Border in
Punjab and after a series of hard-fought battles reached the outskirts of Lahore. Pakistan counter attacked and her 1st Armoured
Division was practically annihilated at Khem Karan and Asal Uttar.

One particular soldier played a key role in the destruction of Pakistan’s 1st Armoured Division. His name was Abdul Hamid.
This is his story.