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New Delhi: Tributes poured in for Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers as India remembered his bravery in the battle of Asal Uttar, one of the largest tank battles fought during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

Hamid laid down his life fighting Pakistani tanks on 10 September 1965, and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award.

However, even 54 years later, confusion prevails on how many Pakistani Patton tanks Hamid destroyed — figures vary from two to 11.

परमवीर चक्र विजेता अकेले पाकिस्तान के 7 टैंक नष्ट करने वाले शहीद वीर अब्दुल हमीद को पुण्य तिथि पर सत् सत् नमन। pic.twitter.com/5OiFEHypUn — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) September 10, 2019

On #ThisDayInHistory Havildar Abdul Hamid changed the battle of Asal Uttar in 1965. He used a jeep fitted with a recoilless gun to attack the Pakistani Patton Tanks, destroying 6 before being martyred. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. @adgpi pic.twitter.com/E9GGbM9Dgu — HISTORY TV18 (@HISTORYTV18) September 10, 2019

#Remembering1965 & the Legendary #IndianBrave Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid who #OnThisDay 10 Sept' destroyed 7 Pakistani Patton tanks before laying down his life in the Battle of Asal Uttar #IndoPakWar1965 #LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 the #ParamVirChakra (P) awardee pic.twitter.com/IS9j0W31Dg — LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 (@LestWeForgetIN) September 10, 2019

#Remembering1965

The jeep that Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid used in the Indo-Pak battle of 1965, kept at the Grenadiers Regimental Centre in Jabalpur.

This single jeep and its detachment took out 11 Pattons over two days. pic.twitter.com/PQ2KVhbRPI — Harpreet (@CestMoiz) September 5, 2019

How many tanks did he destroy?

The most common version of Hamid’s heroics states that he destroyed seven tanks — four on 9 September and three on 10 September. However, the official citation of the Param Vir Chakra noted only two tanks.

“At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965 Pakistan forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Cheema on the Bhikkiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector. Intense artillery shelling preceded the attack. The enemy tanks penetrated the forward position by 0900 hours,” it stated.

“Realising the grave situation, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid who was commander of a RCL gun detachment moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire. Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames.

“By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine-gun and high explosive fire. Undeterred, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun. While doing so, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell,” noted the official citation of the Param Vir Chakra.

“Havildar Abdul Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.”

And yet, the Press Information Bureau put out a video in 2017, saying Hamid destroyed three tanks.

In memoriam : remembering CQMH Abdul Hamid PVC, one of the great heroes of the 1965 war, on the 52nd Anniversary of his martyrdom today.. pic.twitter.com/IWiPK3VMqc — PIB India (@PIB_India) September 10, 2017

Battalion and regimental accounts claim seven tanks were destroyed, including the three on 10 September. But in a video released on 9 September 2018, the Indian Army said Hamid destroyed eight Pakistani tanks.

“Never in the history of warfare have so many tanks been destroyed by any Infantry man. CQMH Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers destroyed eight Pakistani Patton Tanks with this 106 recoiless (sic) gun before laying down his life for the Nation. He was awarded PARAM VIR CHAKRA posthumously for his daring act. Watch the movie to know about his daredevil story,” it said.

But adding to the confusion, the voice-over in the video says Hamid was killed while trying to get his sixth “kill”.

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