Allegiance India Years of service 1940–1945 | Name Fazal Din Role Armed force officer | |
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Battles/wars Second World WarBurma Campaign Battles and wars Burma Campaign, World War II Unit 7th Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment | ||
Our Heroes: Fazal Din
Fazal Din VC (1 July 1921 – 2 March 1945) was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Early life
He was born in an agricultural Jaat family in the Hoshiarpur District of Punjab, India. During the Second World War, many Jaats enrolled in large numbers in the Army. Fazal Din, having only passed Middle School, was inspired to join the British Indian Army by the outbreak of the World War. He was recruited as a rifleman and became a section gunner in the 10th Baluch Regiment.
Victoria Cross citation
Fazal Din was 23 years old, and an acting naik in the 7th Battalion 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army (now 15th Battalion The Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army) during when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
Naik Fazal Din's action was seen by almost the whole Platoon who, undoubtedly inspired by his gallantry and taking advantage of the bewilderment created amongst the enemy by the loss of its leaders, continued the attack and annihilated the garrison which numbered 55.
Such supreme devotion to duty, even when fatally wounded, presence of mind and outstanding courage, have seldom been equalled and reflect the unquenchable spirit of a singularly brave and gallant N.C.O.