Company Havildar Major[a] Piru Singh Shekhawat (20 May 1918 – 18 July 1948) was an Indian Army non-commissioned officer, awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) posthumously, India's highest military decoration for gallantry.

During the battle, Singh was part of the leading section of a company that was assigned to capture a Pakistani post at Tithwal, in Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh was an outstanding sportsman, he represented his regiment in hockey, basketball and cross-country running at inter-regimental and national level championships.

[4] Following tensions between the newly independent nations of India and Pakistan, war broke out over control of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947, shortly after Singh returned from Japan.

In an attempt to reverse the situation, Singh's unit, the 6th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, was moved from Uri to Tithwal, and was assigned to the 163rd Brigade.

The path to the position held by the Pakistani troops was just 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) wide, and deep ravines lay on either side.

This narrow path was overlooked by hidden Pakistani bunkers that allowed both observation and clear fields of fire for the defending troops.

Undeterred, Singh continued to advance adopting the battle cry, "Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai" (English: Hail Lord Rama).

[5][1] On 17 July 1948, Company Havildar Major Singh was posthumously awarded the India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra.

The citation reads of follows: South of Tithwal, 'D' Company, of which No 2831592 Piru Singh, was Havildar Major was detailed to attack and capture an enemy occupied hill feature.

With battle cries he encouraged the remaining men and rushed forward with great determination onto the nearest enemy MMG position.

With complete disregard to his bleeding wounds he made a mad jump on the MMG crew bayoneting them to death, thus silencing the gun.

With blood dripping from his face wounds in his eyes, he crawled out of the trench, hurling grenades at the next enemy position.Singh was married and had son named Om prakash singh .

The crude oil tanker named MT "Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, PVC" was delivered to SCI on 12 October 1984.

[7] A road roundabout called "Shahid Piru Singh Shekhawat Circle" was named after him, in Jhunjhunu, by the Government of Rajasthan.

His name is displayed near the amar jawan jyoti (Eternal Flame) and as relief mural on the other semi circumference wall with the Param Vir Chakra awardees who attained martyrdom in J&K.