On September 10,1965, the battlefields of Khemkaran in Punjab saw the advent of a new hero: Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid.

Indian forces were at loggerheads with Pakistani armoured forces in the Khemkaran sector near Amritsar when enemy tanks entered Indian area. 

Realising the grave situation, Hamid, who was then the commander of a RCL gun detachment, moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep under intense enemy shelling and tank fire. 

After he got an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changed his position only to send another tank up in flames. By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine-gun firing and high explosives.

Undeterred, Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun. However, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell.

Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and courageously overcome the heavy tank assault by the enemy. 

Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his gallantry in the war.