The soldier saint (1928-2014)
Joginder Singh Bakshi was born on 10 March 1928, and graduated from King’s College, Lahore. He was the fifth generation member of the family to join the army, and was commissioned into 5 JAT in June 1950. He got married to Ranjit Kaur in 1957. He was later transferred to 16 JAT and took over the command of that unit on 7 June 1966.
The unit had been engaging in counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland and Manipur from 1963 onwards. The battalion moved to Mizoram on 20 October 1967 to continue operations against the Mizo hostiles. It had a difficult time as the insurgency was at its peak during that period and the battalion suffered some casualties. Major H. S. Brar and a few soldiers were killed in an ambush. Incidents of this nature raise doubts whether the troops were lax and it always reflects on the competence of the commanding officer. The soldiers felt anger and frustration due to lack of realism in the appreciation by the senior commanders. The hostiles would attack and disappear into the jungles. Joginder Singh’s resolute leadership and determination kept up the morale of the troops and led to a highly successful operation against the hostiles. The diary of the Mizo commander was captured in this operation. It recorded the valour of Major Brar and jawans in the counter-ambush. There could not be any reservations or doubts about the skills of the troops and of the leadership of Jogi (as his friends called him). His contributions were well appreciated by General (later Field Marshal) Manekshaw who stated in the Infantry Commander’s Conference in 1970, “You must learn from Jogi how to command a paltan in counter-insurgency operations”. He was awarded VSM in January 1971 for outstanding work in Mizoram and was posted to College of Combat, Mhow.
He had invited his friends to celebrate the award of VSM when a call came from the Army Chief to inform him of his nomination for a course at Fort Benning, USA. He had been serving in field areas for seven years. Mrs. Bakshi and the children accepted another tenure of separation with the usual patience and grace of army families. After the course, he was posted to HQ Eastern Command to train the ‘Mukti Bahini’ in overt and covert operations in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and then raise the Counter- Insurgency and Jungle Warfare (CIJW) School at Vairingte, Mizoram.
On promotion to the rank of Brigadier, he took over the command of 340 (I) Infantry Brigade group which had already concentrated in Balurghat, West Bengal, for the 1971 operations. Between 7 and 16 December 1971, the Brigade cut the waistline of East Pakistan, launched a series of successful attacks and captured a number of well-prepared enemy localities, culminating in the capture of Bogra. He ensured good law and order in the liberated territory taking measures against any looting or damage to property. The Pakistani soldiers who had surrendered were treated correctly in accordance with the rules of Geneva Convention. He was awarded the MVC for his distinguished services. The brigade returned to its peacetime location at Trivadrum and he managed to get a number of benefits from the state government for the serving and retired soldiers. He completed a project for the construction of a War Memorial designed by the well-known architect Laurie Baker. He commanded the CIJW School which he had raised and then proceeded to Iraq on deputation to establish the War College there. He retired on 31 March 1986, and settled down in Defence Colony, New Delhi. Instead of seeking any job in industry, he undertook to help aspiring officers for staff college examinations without charging any fees. The soldier saint passed away on 19 August 2014. He was God fearing and gave his best to the Service in peace or war. No setbacks unnerved him and he overcame them with renewed confidence and determination. His friends and soldiers who had an opportunity to serve with him remember him for his sterling leadership qualities and integrity.