Abdul Hamid
श्री अब्दुल हमिद, पीवीसी (बलिदानोपरांत)
Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid,Param Vir Chakra(Posthumous) son of Shri Usman, was born on 1 July 1933 in village Dhampur, district Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. He was enrolled in 4 Grenadiers on 27 December 1954. During his distinguished service, he was awarded the Sainya Seva Medal with Clasp (J&K), the Samar Seva Medal, and the Raksha Medal.
| Shri Abdul Hamid | |
|---|---|
| PVC (Posth.) | |
 | |
| Punjab, Bharat | |
| Service No | 2639885 |
| Date of Birth | 1 July 1933 |
| Place of birth | Dhamupur |
| Service | Indian Army |
| Last Rank | Company Quartermaster Havildar |
| Unit | 4 Grenadiers |
| Martyrdom | 10 September 1965 (aged 32) Chima, Khem Karan, Tarn Taran district, Punjab, Bharat |
 | |
During the Indo–Pak War of 1965, 4 Indian Division was assigned a dual task: to capture Pakistani territory east of the Ichhogil Canal and to contain a possible enemy thrust along the Kasur–Khem Karan axis. Although the Division successfully advanced up to the Ichhogil Canal, a powerful Pakistani offensive compelled a withdrawal to the Asal Uttar sector, where defensive positions were established to confront the enemy assault.
As part of the revised defensive plan, 4 Grenadiers occupied a critical area forward of village Chima on the Khem Karan–Bhikhiwind road. Holding this ground was vital to the Division’s overall defence. On the night of 8 September, the enemy launched repeated probing attacks against the battalion’s positions, all of which were resolutely repulsed.
The gravest threat emerged at 0800 hours on 10 September, when the enemy mounted a major attack with a regiment of Patton tanks, preceded by intense artillery bombardment that saturated the entire battalion area. By 0900 hours, enemy tanks had penetrated the forward company localities. At this decisive moment, CQMH Abdul Hamid was commanding a recoilless gun detachment.
Fully appreciating the seriousness of the situation, he boldly manoeuvred his gun, mounted on a jeep, to an exposed flank. Undeterred by heavy enemy shelling and tank fire, he engaged the advancing armour and destroyed the leading enemy tank with precise fire. Shifting his position under fire, he knocked out a second tank. Despite being identified by the enemy and subjected to concentrated machine-gun and high-explosive fire, he continued to engage. While firing to destroy yet another tank, he was mortally wounded by a high-explosive shell.
Throughout the engagement, CQMH Abdul Hamid’s fearless leadership and personal example inspired his comrades to fight with exceptional determination, ultimately blunting the enemy armoured assault. His conspicuous gallantry, unwavering devotion to duty, and complete disregard for personal safety, displayed under relentless enemy fire, exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
For his supreme sacrifice and outstanding bravery, Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).
Military career
He joined the Grenadiers regiment of the Indian Army on 27 December 1954. He was later posted to the regiment's 4th Battalion (formerly the 109th Infantry), where he served for the rest of his career. He served with the battalion in Agra, Amritsar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, NEFA and Ramgarh.
During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, Hamid's battalion was part of the 7th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier John Dalvi and participated in the Battle of Namka Chu against the People's Liberation Army. Surrounded and cut off, the battalion broke out on foot into Bhutan and on to Misamari. Second Lieutenant G. V. P. Rao was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his actions during the war; it was the highest gallantry award received by the battalion since Indian independence, until Hamid's commendation.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
As a prelude to Operation Gibraltar, Pakistan's strategy to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, and start a rebellion against Indian rule, Pakistani forces attempted a series of incursions across the Jammu and Kashmir border. From 5 to 10 August 1965, Indian troops uncovered a mass infiltration. Captured documents and prisoners revealed Pakistan's plans to capture Kashmir with a guerrilla attack were brought to light; about 30,000 guerrillas were trained by the Pakistanis for this purpose. For reasons which remain unknown, the guerrilla troops were dispersed, dissipated or destroyed and the action never took place. Haji Phir and Phir Saheba were captured by India in an attempt to eliminate the guerrilla bases, and Pakistan launched an offensive which captured Chhamb and Jourian. Indian Air Force bases in Amritsar were also attacked.
In a counter-offensive, India launched operations across the international border. The 4th Infantry Division was charged with the capture of Pakistani territory east of the Ichogil Canal and the suppression of a possible attack along the Kasur–Khem Karan axis. After reaching the canal, the division awaited a Pakistani assault. 4 Grenadiers was entrusted with a vital position before the village of Chima on the Khem Karan–Bhikhiwind line.
Battle of Asal Uttar
4 Grenadiers arrived at midnight on 7–8 September, and had dug 3-foot (0.91 m) trenches by dawn. At 7:30 am they heard the first rumbles of Pakistani tanks, which straddled the road an hour and a half later. Hamid led the Jonga-mounted recoilless rifle (RCLR) detachment of his battalion. The battalion held their fire until a tank 30 feet (9.1 m) away was hit by Hamid with his RCL gun, and Pakistani soldiers in the two following tanks fled. The Indians experienced artillery shelling at 11:30 am, followed by another armour attack. Hamid knocked out another tank, and the Pakistani soldiers in the following tanks again fled. By the end of the day, an engineering company had laid anti-personnel and anti-tank mines around the Grenadiers' position.
Their battalion was attacked by Pakistani Sabre jets at 9:00 am on 9 September, with mass casualties. The Pakistanis made armoured attacks at 9:30, 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. By the evening, Hamid had knocked out four tanks. The battalion destroyed a total of 13 tanks, and many were abandoned. The Indians withdrew a squadron of Sherman tanks, which were ineffective against the US built Pakistani Patton tanks. Centurion tanks were also withdrawn to deploy them in a position more suitable for a tank battle. As a result, the 4 Grenadiers were left with only RCL guns and mines.
On 10 September at about 8:00 am the first wave of three tanks, one leading and the other two following at a 200-yard (180 m) distance, arrived. Hamid knocked out another tank with his RCL gun. The Pakistanis attacked again with increased artillery support at 9:00 am, and Hamid destroyed another tank. Since his open jeep was vulnerable to the shelling, he moved to another position and ordered his men to take cover. Hamid and a Pakistani tank soon spotted each other. Alone and unable to change his position, he fired at the tank as it fired at him and he was killed instantly. The battalion suppressed further attacks by the Pakistanis, and the battle was a decisive Indian victory.
Legacy
The Param Yodha Sthal at the National War Memorialhouses the busts of all the 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award, including Abdul Hamid. A ₹3 stamp commemorating Hamid was issued by India Poston 28 January 2000 as part of a set of five stamps honouring recipients of awards for gallantry. The stamp has a bust of Hamid and an illustration of a jeep with a rifle.
Hamid's widow, Rasoolan Bibi, met Indian President Pratibha Patil in Lucknow in 2008 with requests to establish a military-recruiting center in his village, convert Hamid's home in Dullapur into a memorial, observe his death anniversary at the national level and help her grandchildren obtain government employment.
Abdul Hamid's grave and a memorial dedicated to the Battle of Asal Uttar are situated near Chima Village, along the Khemkaran-Bhikkiwind road in Punjab's Tarn Taran district. In 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi paid tribute to Abdul Hamid, and laid a wreath at his tomb, honoring his bravery and supreme sacrifice. Every year, there is big sports and culture fair is organized in Asal Uttar village on 9 September in the memory of Abdul Hamid. A memorial to Hamid in his home village of Dhamupur which had fallen into disrepair was renovated in 2011 by the Flags of Honour Foundation for the 46th anniversary of his death. The renovation included a new statue of Hamid, repairs and painting of the gates and boundary, and improvements to the garden. Indian Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar, founder of Flags of Honour, spoke on the occasion. On 10 September 2017, the 52nd anniversary of Hamid's death, then Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawatunveiled a memorial in Ghazipur district.
On January 23, 2023, the Government of India announced naming of 21 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar region in honor of recipients of the Param Vir Chakra. One of these islands was named Hamid Island as a tribute to Abdul Hamid.
A chapter on Veer Abdul Hamid, along with a poem on the National War Memorial, has been added to the Class 6 NCERT curriculum. This initiative aims to instill patriotism and honor the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
A school in Dhamupur village, where Abdul Hamid studied during his childhood, was renamed Shaheed Hamid Vidyalaya in his honor. However, in 2025, the Basic Education Department replaced his name with PM Shri Composite School, sparking outrage across the country. Hamid's grandson, Jameel Ahmad, protested and escalated the matter to the headmaster and the local head of the Basic Education Department. In an attempt to defuse the situation, education officials wrote Hamid's name on a wall, which only intensified the uproar. Eventually, the school was renamed Shaheed Veer Abdul Hamid PM Shri Composite School on February 18, 2025.
भारतीय रणवीर, परमवीर चक्र विजेता
श्री अब्दुल हमीद, परमवीर चक्र (मरणोपरांत)
भारत की सैन्य इतिहास गाथा में कुछ नाम ऐसे हैं जो केवल सैनिक नहीं, बल्कि राष्ट्र की आत्मा बन जाते हैं। परमवीर चक्र से अलंकृत कंपनी क्वार्टर मास्टर हवलदार अब्दुल हमीद ऐसे ही अमर रणवीर थे—जिन्होंने अपने रक्त से भारत की सीमाओं पर शौर्य, कर्तव्य और बलिदान की ऐसी लकीर खींची, जिसे समय भी मिटा नहीं सकता।
प्रारंभिक जीवन: सादगी से शौर्य तक
अब्दुल हमीद का जन्म 1 जुलाई 1933 को उत्तर प्रदेश के गाजीपुर जिले के ग्राम धामूपुर में हुआ। साधारण कृषक परिवार में जन्मे हमीद के संस्कारों में देशप्रेम, अनुशासन और साहस रचा-बसा था। ग्रामीण जीवन की कठिनाइयों ने उन्हें कठोर बनाया और यही कठोरता आगे चलकर रणभूमि में अडिग साहस बनकर प्रकट हुई।
27 दिसंबर 1954 को उन्होंने भारतीय सेना की गौरवशाली 4 ग्रेनेडियर्स रेजिमेंट में भर्ती होकर राष्ट्रसेवा का व्रत लिया। अपने सेवा काल में वे सैन्य सेवा पदक (जम्मू-कश्मीर क्लैस्प), समर सेवा पदक और रक्षा पदक से सम्मानित हुए—परंतु उनकी सबसे बड़ी पहचान उनका अदम्य साहस था।
1965 का युद्ध: जब इतिहास ने करवट ली
1965 के भारत–पाक युद्ध में 4 भारतीय डिवीजन को दोहरी जिम्मेदारी सौंपी गई—इछोगिल नहर के पूर्व में शत्रु क्षेत्र पर अधिकार और कसूर–खेमकरण अक्ष पर संभावित शत्रु आक्रमण को रोकना। भीषण परिस्थितियों में डिवीजन ने इछोगिल तक बढ़त बनाई, परंतु शक्तिशाली पाकिस्तानी जवाबी हमले के कारण असल उत्तर क्षेत्र में मोर्चाबंदी करनी पड़ी।
डिवीजन की नई रक्षा योजना में 4 ग्रेनेडियर्स ने खेमकरण–भिखीविंड मार्ग पर स्थित गांव चीमा के आगे एक अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र पर कब्ज़ा संभाला। यह क्षेत्र रक्षा-योजना की रीढ़ था। 8 सितंबर की रात शत्रु ने कई टोह हमले किए—हर बार उसे करारी विफलता मिली।
असल उत्तर: टैंकों के सामने अडिग मानव-हिम्मत
10 सितंबर 1965 की सुबह 0800 बजे शत्रु ने पैटन टैंकों की एक पूरी रेजिमेंट के साथ निर्णायक हमला किया। उससे पहले हुई भीषण तोपखाने की गोलाबारी ने पूरे इलाके को ध्वस्त कर दिया। 0900 बजे तक दुश्मन के टैंक अग्रिम चौकियों में घुस आए। यही वह क्षण था जब युद्ध का पलड़ा डगमगाने लगा।
उस निर्णायक घड़ी में सीक्व्यूएमएच अब्दुल हमीद एक रिकॉयललेस गन डिटैचमेंट का नेतृत्व कर रहे थे। स्थिति की गंभीरता समझते हुए उन्होंने अपनी गन को जीप पर माउंट किया और भीषण गोलाबारी के बीच एक खुले फ्लैंक पर बढ़ गए। शत्रु की मशीनगनों और टैंकों की आग उन्हें रोक न सकी।
उन्होंने सटीक निशाने से पहला पैटन टैंक ध्वस्त किया। स्थान बदलकर दूसरा टैंक उड़ा दिया। अब शत्रु उनकी स्थिति पहचान चुका था। उन पर केंद्रित मशीनगन और उच्च-विस्फोटक गोलों की बौछार होने लगी—पर हमीद रुके नहीं। तीसरे टैंक को निशाना बनाते समय एक उच्च-विस्फोटक गोले ने उन्हें घातक रूप से घायल कर दिया।
रणभूमि पर गिरते हुए भी उनका साहस खड़ा रहा—क्योंकि उन्होंने अपने प्राणों की आहुति देकर शत्रु की बख़्तरबंद बढ़त को तोड़ दिया था।
प्रेरणा जो अमर हो गई
अब्दुल हमीद का अद्भुत साहस केवल टैंकों के विनाश तक सीमित नहीं था। उनका निर्भीक आचरण और नेतृत्व उनके साथियों में अदम्य ऊर्जा बन गया। सैनिकों ने प्रेरित होकर शत्रु के टैंक हमले को पूरी तरह विफल कर दिया। असल उत्तर की विजय भारतीय सैन्य इतिहास का गौरवपूर्ण अध्याय बन गई।
लगातार शत्रु अग्नि के सामने रहते हुए, व्यक्तिगत सुरक्षा की परवाह किए बिना, उन्होंने जो वीरता दिखाई—वह भारतीय सेना की सर्वोच्च परंपराओं के पूर्ण अनुरूप थी।
परमवीर चक्र: सर्वोच्च बलिदान का सर्वोच्च सम्मान
अपने अनुपम शौर्य, कर्तव्यनिष्ठा और सर्वोच्च बलिदान के लिए कंपनी क्वार्टर मास्टर हवलदार अब्दुल हमीद को परमवीर चक्र (मरणोपरांत) से सम्मानित किया गया—भारत का सर्वोच्च वीरता अलंकरण।
राष्ट्र का नमन
अब्दुल हमीद केवल एक सैनिक नहीं थे; वे उस भारत का प्रतीक थे जो सीमाओं पर खड़ा होकर कहता है—“मेरे रहते मातृभूमि पर आँच नहीं आएगी।”
उनकी शहादत आज भी हर भारतीय हृदय में राष्ट्रभक्ति की ज्वाला प्रज्वलित करती है।
जय हिन्द।
जय भारत।