Joginder Singh was born on 26 September 1921 in Mahla Kalan, Moga district, Punjab. His father Sher Singh Sahnan belonged to an agricultural Saini Sikh family. Joginder went to primary school in Nathu Ala village and went to middle school in Daroli village.
Joginder joined the army for “identity and purpose”. He was posted to 1 Sikh Regiment on 28 September 1936. He soon passed the Army Education Examination and was subsequently appointed as the Unit Education Instructor. He served at various places on the Burma Front and won many laurels. After Independence, he served at Srinagar in 1948 when Pakistani tribals attacked Kashmir.
To counter the increasing Chinese intrusions into the disputed territory, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sought counter strategies. The proposal put forward by the Indian Army was rejected. He approved a plan proposed by a bureaucrat called the “Forward Policy”. This called for the establishment of a number of small posts facing the Chinese positions. Following rise in public criticism against Chinese intrusions, Nehru implemented the “Forward Policy” against the advice of the army. The army’s concern was that the Chinese had a geographical advantage. Additionally, maintaining numerous small posts would be untenable if the superior Chinese forces attacked. Nehru believed the Chinese won’t attack but attack they did.
On 9 September 1962, Defence Minister Krishna Menon decided to evict the Chinese troops south of Thala Ridge and 7 Infantry Brigade. 1 Sikh, was ordered to move to Namka Chu, which was considered as militarily unsound and was strongly criticised by the Indian media.
The Chinese attacked the unprepared Indian post at Namka Chu. Soon after, the Chinese advanced to Tawang, midway to be encountered by an Indian post at the Bum La Pass, held by a platoon of 1 Sikh under the command of Subedar Joginder Singh.
On 23 October 1962, the Chinese attacked the post in three waves, each comprising 200 men. Joginder Singh and his men mowed down the first wave and the enemy was stopped by the heavy losses. A second wave came soon and was similarly dealt with. The platoon had by then lost half its men. Subedar Joginder Singh was wounded in the thigh but refused to be evacuated. Under his leadership the platoon held its ground. In the third attack, Singh himself manned a light machine gun and shot down several of the enemy. The Chinese continued to advance in spite of heavy losses.
The Sikh soldiers then charged, shouting the war cry ‘’Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’’. The Chinese lines were scattered at this sight and many were bayoneted. Due to heavy numbers and superior weapons, the Chinese were able to withstand the last charge by Joginder Singh and his remaining soldiers.
Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order. He died in Chinese captivity on 23 October 1962. The Chinese performed his last rites and sent his ashes with full military honours on 17 May 1963. He was awarded the highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
Singh’s statue was placed at Param Yodha Sthal, National War Memorial, New Delhi. In the 1980s, the Shipping Corporation of India , a Government of India enterprise under the aegis of the Ministry of Shipping, named fifteen of its crude oil tankers in honour of the PVC recipients. The tanker MT Subedar Joginder Singh, PVC was delivered to SCI in 1984, and served for 25 years before being phased out. In Singh’s honour, a memorial statue has been built near the Office of District Collector in Moga, and a monument has been built at IB Ridge by the Indian Army. The 2018 biopic Subedar Joginder Singh is based on Singh’s life and his action during Sino-Indian War. The lead role was played by Punjabi actor and singer Gippy Grewal.