It is not very common to find Captains controlling the battlefield. But in the year 1948, the 4th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment had this unique experience where everything was under Captains only. It was a Captains’ show.

Raised by Lt Col ERM Hall at Hari Singh Lines in Peshawar in the year 1940, the Fourth Battalion of the Dogra Regiment is one of the most decorated paltans of Indian Army. In the year 1947, when India got independence, Pakistan’s designs were aimed to annex Kashmir at any cost. A well planned offensive using Razakars and regular Army was launched and the braves of the 4th Battalion were ordered to proceed to Naushera in Jammu division to defeat Pakistan. This responsibility was entrusted upon Capt S P Bakshi who was told to take command of the unit on April 7, 1948.

Same day orders to capture Barwali Ridge were received. The Dogras had a support of a squadron of CIH and a battery of 16 Field Regiment. The ‘H’ hour was 9 am on April 18.

In view of the shortage of time and limited scope for reconnaissance, the objective was examined in detail and divided into Left Pimple, Right Pimple, Right Flank, Barwali Finger and Knoll. Artillery guns and tanks were to be positioned near the vicinity of assembly area for providing fire support. Incidentally, during April river Tawi was also fordable at a number of places.

At 0600 hrs on April 8, the Dogras moved to the assembly area where objectives were shown to the troops and land-marks on route were revised and seen. Although much of the ground to be covered by attack was visible and studied, the time factor precluded viewing the objective from different angles.

Delta and Charlie companies made good progress but advance of Bravo company was held up. Though all the companies had suffered casualties, the gallant Dogras moved inch by inch clinging on tooth and nail and refusing to be pushed back. Delta and Charlie companies led by the gallant commanders, Capt Sansar Singh and Sub Kehar Singh, captured the Left Pimple as per the plan.

Once Delta company formed the base on Left Pimple, Charlie company under Sub Kehar Singh went in to capture the Right Pimple. Every move of Dogras was being fired upon from left flank of Left Pimple. Capt Mota Singh, the Mortar Platoon Commander, using predicted fire technique silenced the enemy mortars and provided a continuous fire support.

Alpha company under Capt Menon and Bravo company under Capt Siam Dass also arrived on the objective clearing the Barwali Finger and Knoll. As the darkness enveloped the area, 4 Dogra was securely entrenched on Left and Right Pimples with Barwali Finger and Right Flank features cleared and Knoll held by two sections. Barwali Ridge had been captured and the gateway to Rajouri had been thrown open. Thus, the Battalion earned its second battle honour ‘Barwali’. Eighteen braves made the supreme sacrifice in this sector.

This battle is known as ‘Captains’ battle’ as all officers who led the attack and the officiating Commanding Officer were of the rank of Captain only. Today the battalion can rightfully boast of 92 gallantry awards including one Mahavir Chakra awarded to Lt Col IJS Butalia, six Vir Chakra and one Shaurya Chakra. The paltan also has 41 Commendation Cards from Chief of the Army Staff and Army Commanders.