Hanut Singh (soldier)

Lt. Gen. Hanut Singh Rathore, PVSM, MVC (6 July 1933 – 10 April 2015) was an Indian General Officer. He was a recipient of India's second highest military decoration, the Maha Vir Chakra, for his role in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Early life
Hanut Singh was born in Jasol in a Mahecha Rathore Rajput family in Balotra district to Lt Col Arjun Singh, who had served in the Jodhpur Lancers, and later commanded the Kachhawa Horse. He attended the Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun and joined the 1st course of the (jsw) Joint Services Wing. where he was in the Baker squadron.

Military career
Upon graduating from the Indian Military Academy in December 1952, he chose to join the Armoured Corps, and was commissioned into The Poona Horse.

He did not participate in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 as he was posted as the brigade major of the 66th Brigade.

Hanut is widely known for his command of The Poona Horse in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, during the Battle of Basantar. For his conduct during the battle, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Maha Vir Chakra
The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows: "Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72 Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily Date of Award: 16 Dec 1971

CITATION LIEUTENANT COLONEL HANUT SINGH (IC-6126), 17 HORSE

Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh was commanding 17 Horse in Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front. On 16 December 1971, his regiment was inducted into the Basantar River bridgehead and took up positions ahead of the infantry. The enemy launched a number of armoured attacks in strength on 16 and 17 December. Undeterred by enemy medium artillery and tank fire, Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh moved from one threatened sector to another with utter disregard for his personal safety. His presence and cool courage inspired his men to remain steadfast and perform commendable acts of gallantry."

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, also from Hanut's regiment, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for the same battle.

Hanut was promoted to major general on 8 April 1983, and to lieutenant general on 30 December 1985. He subsequently commanded II Corps during Operation Brasstacks, when India almost went to war with Pakistan.

He is the only indian soldier whose bravery and valour was appreciated by Pakistan by giving him the title Fakhr-e-Hind after 1971 war.

Post-retirement
Upon retirement, he chose to live in Dehradun, dedicating his life to meditation. He died on 11 April 2015. The Indian Army announced plans for the construction of a war memorial in his memory, which will come up in Jasol.