Jammu and Kashmir War : 1947-48

Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru interviews Major Sher Khan of the Pakistan Army in February 1948 as Lieutenant Colonel KAS Raja, (Later Major General) CO 1 MADRAS looks on. The Major was the first officer Prisoner of War of free India’s Army and was captured by 1 MADRAS (Now 1 MECH INF)

Battalions of the Regiment participated in the Jammu and Kashmir Operations with distinction. Deployed in November 1947, the 1st Battalion operated initially on the axis Kathua-Jammu. In April 1948 it was committed to the Baramulla area, where it lost the CO, Lt Col CPA Menon, MC and Lt Philip when a recce patrol they were leading was ambushed. It was later deployed in the Tithwal sector in the Ring Contour area facing determined enemy counter attacks. The 2nd Battalion joined 77 Para Bde at Srinagar in May 1948 and after seeing action in this area concentrated in Uri in July. It remained in observation of Pakistani positions in the forward areas after the ceasefire, manning high altitude picquets often under heavy snow and was commended for its dedication to duty. The 4th MADRAS (WLI) was deployed in September 1948 and in October successfully attacked and captured feature Pir Kalewa and then 'Camel's Hump' which turned the enemy’s defences and opened the way to the Mendhar valley.

The Battalion won a Maha Vir Chakra (Nk Raju), seven Vir Chakras and 16 Mentions-in-Despatches during the J & K Ops.

The Regiment was awarded Battle Honours 'Punch' and 'Tithwal' and the Theatre Honour 'Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48'.

Battle of Tithwal

General Nimmo being briefed
in the battalion area in the Tithwal Sector

The advance over sixty miles of hilly terrain, over snow clad ranges of more than 10,000 feet height and notorious for their bone chilling winds, attired in scanty winter clothing, with no greatcoats or blankets, shivering at night with unbearable cold, capturing the highest Pass in the Srinagar Valley - certainly all that was no mean achievement for the Madrassis, some of whom had never set foot on such high ranges and never seen snow or marched on it. On 17 May 1948, 1 MADRAS was ordered to lead the Brigade as Advance Guard for capturing Tithwal. With its morale sky-high, after capturing Nastachun Pass, battalion geared for capture of Tithwal. With another battalion of the brigade advancing on the left and 1 MADRAS on the right, attack commenced and on 23 May 1948, after a fierce and bloody fight, 1 MADRAS secured its objective south of Tithwal.

Thambis of 1 MADRAS celebrate the memorable day of 23 May 1948 as ‘Tithwal Day’. The First Maha Vir Chakra and Two Vir Chakras were won in this action. The Brigade Commander congratulated the Battalion in a nutshell in the words “Bravo Madrassis”.