Harbans Singh Virk

Lieutenant Colonel Harbans Singh Virk, MVC, DSO was an army officer who served in the British Indian Army and later the Indian Army.

Background

Virk was born in village Chuhar Kanan, Sheikhupura, Punjab Province, British India. After India's Partition, he appears to have settled in Kaithal, Haryana.

Military career

World War II

Virk was commissioned in the Maratha Light Infantry, British Indian Army, on 4 August 1941.
There is some uncertainty regarding his service number, as British records state it as 'IEC-801', while Indian records state it as 'IC-656'.
Virk was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in displayed in Burma in March 1945, as a Major commanding a company in the 4th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, 17th Indian Division.

Post-Independence

Virk was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra on India's first Republic Day, 26 January 1950, for his leadership and gallantry at Naushera and Jhangar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48 in Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1953, he took command of 6 Kumaon Regiment.