K S Jaswal
Lt. Col. Bhag Singh Jaswal was born on 4 August 1917 in Ramkot, Basohli, Kathua (J&K) into the Princely family of “Jaswan”. Son of Raja Ragunath Singh of Ramkot (J&K) & Amb (HP) States, he was an exemplary, loyal and decorated soldier, an outstanding father and a thorough gentleman. He was very generous by nature, loved and respected by all. It was largely due to his single handed resolve since 1960 that Ramkot is a Tehsil today. Such was the love for his soil that today inspired by the example and total guidance support of the Thakore and his son, every other house in Ramkot has a member to serve the Forces.
His Primary School education was in Ramkot. He pursued Middle & High School Education in the State High School in the erstwhile Chamba State. He passed his Matriculation from DAV College, Hosiarpur and completed his BA from Govt College, Lahore (General Ya Yah Khan was his classmate in Hoshiarpur Lahore from 1932-36.) He also did his law Course from Law College, Lahore.
Bhag Singh, joined the Independence Movement (Riasiti Praja Mandal of Chamba State) and he, under the orders of the Political Department, was ordered to Quit Chamba State in 1932.
Most of the time, he was under surveillance of the British Secret Service. This Exile was to be operative till 1944. However, at the outbreak of World War-1 he took the opportunity of joining the Indian Army.
During the World War he was enlisted in 15PR; where he performed with exemplary courage in the Eastern Sector at the Indo-Burma Border. Post Independence while posted in 1/4th Gorkha Rifles, where he took part in J&K Operations in 1948 when his Gorkha Battalion was sent ot Rajouri Sector to link up with the besieged Garrison of Poonch. For his gallant action and successful link up, he was awarded “mention in Dispatches”. In 1955-56 he was posted to International Commission for Supervision & Control in Vietnam (Indo-China).
He is an alumni of the prestigious Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and Senior Command Course, MHOW and Intelligence course in Karachi.
In his illustrious career of 31 Years, Bhag Singh Jaswal has the singular honour, to have served in 17 Units/Corps of the Defense Forces, Commanded four Active Units and was the Founding Father of two Battalions which is a rare honour for an Officer.
In addition to Hindi and English; he could read, write and speak Urdu, Nepalese, Punjabi and Dogri.
In 1950 he married Ms Krishna Wazir D/o “Tazme Wazir” Tej Ram ji OBE, KGCM, to HH – Maharaja Hari Singh Ji, Ruler of J&K. They are blessed with three children. He lived (93Yrs) to see his Great Grand Child, Sanyukta Jaswal.
In his service career, his noteworthy contribution & achievements are recalled with pride. He joined 17 Dogra Regiment. Served in 1/15 PUNJAB (Now in Pakistan) 1945 to 17 … Nov 1947 (Being the Quarter Master he moved with the Battalion to Abottabaad, Pakistan after Independence) in order to smoothly hand over all the Unit assets). Interestingly, on 14 Aug 1947 he participated in “The Independence Day Parade of Pakistan” with 1/15 Punjab on 14 Aug 1947. Field Marshal Ayub Khan was his Commanding Officer for some time. He served in 1 Field Regt-83 Bikaner Bty (Self Propelled Guns)-1954. It was the only Mechanized Artillery Regiment in India.
From 1947 to 1952 he served in 1/4Th GORKHA RIFLES (Prince of Wales Own). It was here in 1948 Poonch Operations that he was decorated with the Mention in Dispatches. He served as a Principal Staff Officer in Hanoi, Vietnam (INDO CHINA) in 1955-56.
He had the singular distinction of being selected to Command and Raise the First and only pure Gorkha Artillery Regiment, 64 Field Regiment (this is the first and only Gorkha Artillery Regiment till date in the Indian Army). As its Commanding Officer, he fought the 1962 Indo China War at NEFA (Bomdila), In 1965, he volunteered to Command 95 Mountain Regiment during Indo Pak War -1965 on the Western front, Shakargarh.
He also served in 26 LAA, 10 & 41 Field Regiment, 37 COORG Heavy Mortar Regt and numerous Staff & Instructional appointments. He also had the unique distinction (on being nominated by Mr Leela Singh Bisht, First IG BSF, J&K) of converting 15 Punjab Armed Police to 49 Battalion Border Security Force in Poonch Rajouri (J&K) in 1967 as its First Commandant. He Commanded 46 Battalion, B5F, in Jammu.
Colonel Jaswal, had the singular privilege of being the driving force behind the selection, acquiring land and laying the foundation of the present IG BSF Headquarters of Jammu. To honour him, on his retirement from 46 BSF, he was given a grand farewell from the IG Head Quarters, Jammu by the then Inspector General- a rare and befitting honour.
After superannuation from service, he was nominated by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh as a Secretary Government of HP to Soldier Sailor & Airman Board Himachal Pradesh. He raised this department from 1969 to 1974/75 as its Founding Secretary.
Lt Col Thakore Bhag Singh Jaswal, not only served his country as a proud Soldier, he also left behind his legacy, with his son Brigadier Kr K.S. Jaswal,VSM , Grandson Lt Col Rajat Singh Jaswal and his Son in Law Major J.J. Singh, following his footsteps and continuing his legacy.
Honours and Awards received by him are, “Mention in Dispatches” in Poonch Operations-1948, “Wound Medal World War -II “and “Governors Medal” for Distinguished Service as Secretary Soldier Board of Himachal Pradesh. Notwithstanding, his biggest success in his journey has been a glorious, successful, peaceful and above all a good life. He was respected, loved and cared by all around him.
Today as we wish him his 100 years since birth, we salute him as a exemplary Parent, Soldier’s Soldier and a great Son of the Soil.
“Lives of all Great men remind us, to make our Lives Sublime,
And leave behind us – Footprints on the Sand of Time”
(The author is former Brigadier)
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