Hardev Pal Nayyar

Who was Hardev Pal Nayyar?

2nd Lt Hardev Pal Nayyar was an officer of the 8 Sikh Light Infantry of the Indian Army, who was posthumously awarded The Vir Chakra, India's Third highest gallantry award, for exemplary valour in combat during operations in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

He was born to a Punjabi low caste family and grew up in Dasuya Distt Hoshiarpur, India. His father, Sh. Gopal Dass Nayyar, worked as a Station Master in Indian Railway, while his mother, Smt Soma Devi Nayyar was a housewife.

Nayyar received his high-school education from D.A.V. Higher Secondary School, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur. He was a bright student who consistently performed well in academics and sports.

He graduated from the Desh Bandhu Gupta College, New Delhi. and later was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, The Sikh Light Infantry, in 1970 from the OTS Madras.

After joining Indian Army he went for Commando training in Mhow, and successfully completed the course.