Col Udai Singh commanded three companies of the Gorkha Rifles deployed in the biting cold of Kargil in the north in December 1971, the Colonel and his men were asked to capture Chalunka and Turtok positions. The Colonel led his troops in several nightlong marches across unfamiliar areas at altitudes of 5,500 meters and more braving subzero temperatures.
At one place, they faced a strong enemy force but the colonel and his men completely outmanoeuvered it. A large cache of enemy arms and equipment was seized as well. The Gurkha Rifles launched several more attacks on heavily- defended enemy positions in the mountains. Despite poor communication facilities and the total absence of any artillery support, Colonel Singh led his men to success. In this operation, spanning over eleven days, the Indian Forces eventually occupied Turtok and areas beyond it.
For his skilled leadership and command Colonel Udai Singh was decorated with Mahavir Chakra.
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