Gen Hardev Singh Kler: An ideal Kshatriya who came to save us

In Indian epic Ramayan, Ram Chandra was the protagonist of Lanka adventure. But Hanuman's role in fighting against the Lanka Lord Ravana was of great bulk. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the epic. Without Hanuman's field service, the consequence of Lanka adventure would have been different. So Hanumanji is being considered a highly respected, inevitable character to the worshipers.

I have found a modern Hanuman in a book handed me someone  titled '12 Days to Dacca', a memoirs written by Major General (rtd) Hardev Sign Kler, who was bestowed with Maha Vir Chakra and Ati Vhishisht Seba Medal, the second highest Indian Army decoration and distinguished service of an exceptional order respectively.

I have read the book attentively and went online to have more info of him. I recall faintly his name I got in some writings, if not elaborately. I wonder why he is not prominently present in the history of our liberation war. It is well known that many martyrs, war veterans are still missing in our incomplete war history. But the valiant Indian army official like Kler, who fought our cause, had to have his name in the frontlines of our liberation war. He was a Brigadier at that time and was commanding a Mountain Brigade on the Eastern Front.

He was accompanied by General Gill and other senior Indian military officials in the battle field. In his memoirs he writes," I got into my jonga (a specially designed vehicle used by Indian army)   to proceed to Bakshibajar. Gen. Gill insisted on accompanying me. Although I had advised him to come by helicopter once Bakshiganj was captured, he insisted on accompanying me. We both sent off for Bakshiganj.

We had driven on 5ms, when our jeep went over an anti-tank mine around 9 am on Dec 5. Since the left front wheel detonated the mine, the main impact of the blast hit Gill, who was in the co-driver's seat. We were both thrown out of the jeep. It was like a pilot ejecting from a plane, who of course is all strapped up but not so in our case. The brunt of the explosion was borne by our feet, knees and back bones. After a while I came around, shook my limbs and found everything impact, though slightly painful at the joint."

Since that time onward, he led the advance into the battle field with fierce fighting against the Pakistani military. Consequently he lost his left limb in a front fighting and went on advancing from Kamalpur up to the Turag River. In his retired life, he felt no sorrow for his leg he lost. He said to Bangladesh, "For your today, we gave our yesterday." In another occasion he said, "They got their liberation--I just lost a leg...so what..." After winning the battle in Jamalpur, Kler march towards south without pause.

Finally, the Pakistani troops sent a message on December 11 to Brig Kler, offering their surrender. Interestingly, Hardev Singh Kler went to the surrender venue riding in the jeep used by Sultan, which was captured by Indian troops, to accept the Jamalpur-based Pakistan Brigade's appeal for surrender. The Pakistanis suffered heavy losses in the battle against.  Approximately 300 Pakistani soldiers were killed and another 379 captured. Large quantities of Pakistani weapons and ammunition were also captured by Indian troops.

Since that time onward, he led the advance into the battlefield with fierce fighting against the Pakistani military. Consequently he lost his left limb in a front fighting and went on advancing from Kamalpur up to the Turag River. In his retired life, he felt no sorrow for his leg he lost. He said to Bangladesh, "For your today, we gave our yesterday." In another occasion he said, "They got their liberation--I just lost a leg...so what..."

Kler family is real skhatriya (military elite)family. Hindustan Times reads that Kler family members have been serving in military for 300 years. Kler's father Chhajja Singh fought in France and Iraq in First World War He rose to the rank of honorary captain with a formidable reputation and the award of the order of British India, 1st class. Kler's older brother Shamsher served Signals and retired prematurely on health ground.

His another brother Gurdev Singh fought against Pakistan in 1965 war who commanded 56 Brigade and later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. His son Jasjit Singh was Air Marshal and currently Commandant of National Defense Academy. Kler's own son Devender Jeet also fought in 1971 alongside his father. Neither the father nor the son knew anything about each other's position.  He got retirement as a Wing Commander. 

Kler's toughest hour was the battle for Jamalpur against Pakistan's Lt. Colonel Sultan Ahmed of 31 Baloch Regiment. In his book, Kler narrated the countributin of Mukti Bahini and the volunteers. During the war, he saved Maj. Surider Raj Singh's life by ignoring his own. Surinder was hit in the leg. On hearing his plea Kler rushed to the spot. In the middle of enemy's machine gun fire, Kler pulled him in the jeep. Later Surinder called him Messiah.  Hardev Singh Kler indeed was a Messiah for us too like the other Indian military men who valiantly fought for our cause. We are not unthankful nation. We will remember as long as the history of Bangladesh exists.


The writer is Executive Editor,  The Asian Age