Pathania

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Not to be confused with Pathan or Pathani.

Pathania is a Rajput warrior clan of Chandravanshi lineage following Sanatan Hindu Dharma. Pathania surname is derived from Pathankot tehsil which was capital of Nurpur kingdom where they once ruled. Their members inhabit in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu. Defence services have remained their first choice of profession and are largely found working in the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Airforce. [1]

Gallantry Award Recipients[]

Maha Vir Chakra Recipients[]

The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.

  • Major General Anant Singh Pathania MVC, MC born at Rey Himachal Pradesh on 25 May 1913 death on 19 December 2007) was son Col. Raghuvir Singh Pathania. Anant Singh was a decorated Indian Army general; the first Indian to receive a Military Cross in the Second World War, he was also the first Indian commanding officer of the Gorkha Rifles.[2]In Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948 under Operation Bison he commanded 1/5 Gorkha and attacked and took the ridge beyond Pindras gorge on the north of Gumri Nala which was fortified by enemies. He was awarded the MVC and 'Anant hill' was named after him. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, he commanded the 4th Infantry Division which retreated without fighting and the remaining in chaos were butchered, which is often criticized by Sino-Indian War historians.[3]
  • Lt. Col Kaman Singh Pathania, MVC, MiD born at Ladori, Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh on 23 April 1917 and death on 15 July 1956 was son of Dafadar Vijay Singh Pathania. Kaman Singh commanded Third Battalion of Royal Garhwal Rifles on 16 February 1948 and captured Trahgam Ridge with less than one company. Lt Col Kaman Singh lead all attacks from front against heavy resistance which was unusual for commanding officer of that time. Again on 17 June 1948, his Battalion less two companies raided a strongly held position on the Buni Ridge beyond Tithwal at Uri. Indo-Pakistani Border 'Kaman Post' through Kaman Aman Setu bridge is named after him.[4]

Vir Chakra Recipients[]

Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy on the battlefield and is third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards and comes after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.

  • Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania , VrC, VM born at Rey, Himachal Pradesh in 1937 and death in 1995 was son of Punjab Singh Pathania. Virendera Singh served IAF as fighter pilot from 25 August 1956 to 9 December 1993 and is reputed for making the first confirmed PAF Sabre Jet kill on 4 September 1965 of post independent India for which he was decorated with Vir Chakra.[5] On 16 December 1971 he made another unconfirmed kill.[6]

Kirti Chakra Recipients[]

It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle.

  • Maj. Mohinder Singh Pathania Punjab Regiment was awarded Kirti Chakra in 1992[7]
  • Constable Ajay Pathania ITBP was deployed at Kabul embassy on 7 July 2008 when he spotted a suicidal car bomber directly behind the official car entering embassy. His fellow constable immediately barricaded anti-bomb hexa barrier on his shouting. Immediately there was a blast killing everyone at the gate including Ajay Pathania but it averted a timely disaster inside the embassy. For his alertness Kirti Chakra was awarded to him posthumously.[8]

Shaurya Chakra Recipients[]

The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards and comes after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. It precedes the Yudh Seva Medal.

  • Lieutanant Deepak Singh Pathania of Indian Navy was team commander of marine commando detachment with Indian army unit in Kashmir on 16 March 1999 when he engaged four hardcore militants tactically and killed them single handedly under Operation Rakshak for which he was awarded Shaurya Chakra[9]

Sena Medal Recipients[]

It can be awarded for gallantry or it can also be for distinguished service carried out by any soldier, not in the face of the enemy. Therefore, the Sena Medal also serves as a sort of general commendation medal for the Indian Army. It is preceded by the Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra & Yudh Seva Medal. It is equivalent to Vayusena Medal (Airforce) and Nausena Medal (Navy). It in turn precedes the Vishisht Seva Medal.

  • Col. Satish Chander Singh Pathania

Vayusena Medal Recipients[]

On 14 December Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Wg. Cdr. Virendera Singh Pathania was awarded Vayusena Medal for his role as commander when under him a 26 year old flying officer PVC Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon single handedly engaged with six Sabre Jet.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Brentnall, Mark (2004). The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh. 1. Indus Publishing. pp. 350–358. ISBN 978-8-17387-163-4.
  2. ^ "Soldier to the core". The Tribune (Chandigarh). 9 January 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. ^ Malhotra, Inder (19 September 2011). "How the retreat turned into a rout". The Indian Express. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Bravest of the Brave: Old Soldiers never die they just fade away". News Meter. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  5. ^ Indian Air Force awards "Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania". Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  6. ^ David, Wg. Cdr.(Retd.) G.M. "THE LAST DOG FIGHT OVER SRINAGAR 16 DECEMBER 1971 NO 18 SQN". Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  7. ^ "List of Kirti Chakra award recipients". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Heroes of ITBP". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Indian Navy". Facebook. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Indian Combat Pilots". Retrieved 14 July 2021.


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