3 Review(s)

The Indo-Pak War 1947-48 Operations in Tithwa l-Battle of DarapariAfter the threat to Srinagar was removed, the Indian forces concentrated in the URI Sector and prepared to launch operations to evict the Pakistani aggressors from the valley. General Thimayya, GOC Sri Division, launched his offensive along the Uri-Domel road with 161 infantry brigade under Brigadier L.P. Sen, DSO. 163 Infantry Brigade under Brigadier Harbaksh Singh carried out a diversionary attack towards Tithwal to draw away the enemy reserves, and the brigade at Poonch was also tasked to launch a battalion attack to divert the enemy forces that could interfere with the Indian offensive. The offensive commenced in the third week of May 1948 and Dogarpur, Tregham and Chowkibal were captured against stiff opposition. The offensive to Tithwal continued and on 22 May 1948, Tithwal was captured. During these operations, 6 Rajputana Rifles cleared an important feature called Darapari. The Pakistan Army could not reconcile itself to the setback suffered in the Tithwal sector, and launched repeated counter-attacks to dislodge the Indians. It is here at the Battle of Darapari that Company Havildar Major Piru Singh displayed gallantry of the highest order and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.