CM Saini Pays Tribute to Param Vir Chakra Hero Abdul Hamid
Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini marked the birth anniversary of Param Vir Chakra hero CQMH Abdul Hamid on 1 July 2026, honouring the soldier's legendary destruction of Pakistani Patton tanks at the Battle of Asal Uttar during the 1965 India-Pakistan War.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to CQMH Abdul Hamid on his birth anniversary on 1 July 2026 .
Abdul Hamid was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra — India's highest wartime gallantry honour — for his actions in the 1965 India-Pakistan War .
Hamid served in the 4 Grenadiers and destroyed multiple Pakistani M48 Patton tanks using a recoilless gun during the Battle of Asal Uttar .
The Param Vir Chakra was instituted on 26 January 1950 by the President of India.
Indian political leaders routinely mark anniversaries of Param Vir Chakra awardees as part of a broader pattern of honouring military sacrifice.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, paid tribute to Company Quarter Master Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who destroyed multiple Pakistani Patton tanks during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, on the occasion of the martyr's birth anniversary.
Context
In his post, CM Saini offered what he called 'vinm ra shraddhanjali evam kotishaḥ naman' (humble tribute and countless salutations) to Veer Abdul Hamid. He recalled that in the 1965 war, Hamid had 'destroyed enemy Patton tanks, demonstrating indomitable courage and unparalleled valour.' The post further stated that 'his sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism will always be a source of inspiration for all of us.'
The tribute is part of a consistent pattern among Indian political leaders of publicly honouring Param Vir Chakra recipients on their birth or martyrdom anniversaries, particularly those associated with the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Policy Backdrop
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest wartime gallantry award, instituted by the President of India on 26 January 1950, awarded for extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy. CQMH Abdul Hamid of the 4 Grenadiers was posthumously conferred this honour for his actions during the Battle of Asal Uttar, one of the most decisive tank engagements of the 1965 war.
During that battle, Hamid used a recoilless gun mounted on a jeep to knock out several Pakistani M48 Patton tanks — then considered among the most formidable armour in the region — before he was fatally wounded in action. His role in blunting Pakistan's armoured offensive is credited as a turning point in the western sector campaign.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute resonates with India's defence community, war veterans, and their families, for whom public acknowledgement by elected leaders carries symbolic weight. Haryana has historically contributed a significant number of personnel to the Indian Armed Forces, making such commemorations particularly meaningful within the state.
Public tributes by sitting chief ministers also reinforce the political salience of military heritage and veterans' welfare as policy priorities. Haryana has several active ex-servicemen welfare programmes, and anniversaries of this nature often serve as occasions to reaffirm the state government's commitment to defence families.
What's Next
The broader commemorative calendar around the 1965 war typically intensifies as India approaches the conflict's anniversary period in August–September, when state and central government events honouring veterans and martyrs are held across the country. Any Haryana-specific announcements on ex-servicemen welfare or defence commemoration events in the coming months will be watched closely.
Point of View
One of India's highest per-capita contributors to the armed forces. By publicly commemorating CQMH Abdul Hamid, Saini reinforces the BJP's positioning as a party aligned with defence values and veterans' communities. The choice of a Param Vir Chakra awardee whose story spans religious and regional identities also reflects a broader political calculus around inclusive nationalism. As the 1965 war anniversary approaches in September, such tributes are likely to multiply across the political spectrum.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abdul Hamid and why is he famous?
CQMH Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4 Grenadiers of the Indian Army who became famous for destroying multiple Pakistani Patton tanks during the Battle of Asal Uttar in the 1965 India-Pakistan War . He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra , India's highest wartime gallantry honour.
What is the Param Vir Chakra?
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration for valour in the face of the enemy. It was instituted by the President of India on 26 January 1950 and is awarded for extraordinary acts of bravery during wartime.
What did Abdul Hamid do in the 1965 war?
CQMH Abdul Hamid used a recoilless gun mounted on a jeep to knock out several Pakistani M48 Patton tanks during the Battle of Asal Uttar in the 1965 India-Pakistan War . He was fatally wounded during this action and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini pay tribute to Abdul Hamid?
CM Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to CQMH Abdul Hamid on the occasion of the martyr's birth anniversary on 1 July 2026 , honouring his sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism in the 1965 India-Pakistan War .
When is the anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan War?
The 1965 India-Pakistan War was fought primarily between August and September 1965 . Major commemorations in India are typically held around this period each year.
