He joined the Indian National Army at the age of 14 and later trained at the Tanjung Rambutan Training Camp where his exemplary form gained him Executive rank by the age of 20.
He joined the Indian National Army at the age of 14 (two years under the age limit), against the wishes of his father. He trained at the Tanjung Rambutan Training Camp and his exemplary form gained him Executive rank by the age of 20.