Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 7: Veteran soldier Havaldar (Retd) Baldev Singh, who fought four wars against Pakistan and passed away at the age of 93 at his residence in Nowshera, Rajouri.
His last rites were performed with full military honour and service protocols at his native village Naunihal, in Nowshera, this afternoon. Brigadier Bir Bikram, Commander of the 80-Infantory Brigade, laid wreath on mortal remains of Hav Baldev Singh and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Besides family members of Hav Singh, people from all walks of life attended the funeral and paid their last respect to the veteran warrior. According to a defence spokesman, the revered war hero passed away due to natural causes in his hometown on Monday.
Born on September 27, 1931, at Naunihal village, Singh was just 16 when he volunteered to join the Bal Sena Force under the leadership of Brigadier Usman, Commander of the 50 Para Brigade, during the battle of Naushera and Jhangar in 1947-48.
The Bal Sena, a group of local boys aged 12 to 16, served as despatch runners for the Indian Army in the critical moments of these battles. In recognition of their bravery, the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru honoured the Bal Sainiks, presenting them with gramophones, watches, and the opportunity to join the Army.
Hav Baldev Singh enlisted in the Army on November 14, 1950, and served the force with dedication and valour for nearly three decades. His distinguished service spanned multiple wars, including the 1961, 1962, and 1965 India-Pakistan wars.
Despite retiring in October 1969, Singh was recalled during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, when served in the 11 JAT Battalion (25 Infantry Division) for an additional eight months before returning to civilian life.
Throughout his career, Hav Singh received numerous honours for his service, including recognition by Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari, and several other distinguished leaders.
“Singh’s contributions to the nation serve as an inspiring testament to patriotism and courage. His legacy lives on as a living legend, deeply respected for his service to the country,” said defence spokesman.
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