Subedar Parmanand: The Hero Who Saved My Life Twice

It’s rare to face death closely, but in the Army, especially as an Infantryman, such moments can be more common. I had the extraordinary experience of being saved from death not once, but twice, by the same courageous person—Subedar Parmanand.

Who is Subedar Parmanand?

Subedar Parmanand was much older than me and already held the rank of Subedar when I joined 20 PUNJAB. Known for his defiant attitude towards authority, he shared my rebellious streak. He was a slim man with a twinkle in his eye and a love for taking risks.

The First Time He Saved Me

In 1984, while stationed in Kalsian, Nowshera Sector, we faced a dangerous situation. The minefields, which had been poorly maintained since 1947-48, were in a risky state. During a survey of the Line of Control (LoC) with Capt Kaul and Subedar Parmanand, we discovered a live M-16 mine. The mine’s trip wire was almost invisible, and the danger of detonation was very real.

In that critical moment, Parmanand stepped up. He said, “Sahab, meri umar kafi ho gayi hai. Aap abhi bahut chote ho. Aap ki jaan ki keemat zyada hai. Main age chalta hun. Aap gap rakh kar mere kadmon par chalen.” Thanks to his bravery, he led us safely back to our post. Parmanand never mentioned this incident again, but Capt Kaul and I often recall it with deep respect.

The Second Time He Saved Me

Soon after, we encountered another perilous situation. We were dealing with a suspected intrusion across the LoC and needed to dismantle a suspicious construction. It was so dark that our Night Vision Devices were ineffective. A nervous JCO, mistaking me for an intruder, aimed his rifle at my chest.

Parmanand reacted swiftly. He gave the JCO a tight slap and said, “Nehru Sahab ko nahin pahchanta!” His quick action prevented a potentially deadly mistake and saved my life once more.

His Leadership in Sri Lanka

Later, 20 PUNJAB sent a platoon under Subedar Parmanand’s command to Sri Lanka for operations against the LTTE. The platoon consisted of soldiers who had previously been in trouble, making Parmanand’s leadership even more significant. When he returned, he told me, “Sahab, paisa kafi bachaya. Ek motorcycle kharidonga.” Back in 1988, owning a motorcycle was quite rare for a Dogra JCO. I didn’t see him often after that, but his courage and leadership left a lasting impression.

Subedar Parmanand wasn’t just a soldier; he was a true hero who saved my life twice and demonstrated remarkable bravery and leadership.