Colonel Manpreet Singh, KC, SM (born, 1982) was a decorated Indian Army Officer. He was killed in action during an operation in Anantnag with three others security personnel. For his bravery in the action he was awarded India's second highest peacetime gallantry award the Kirti Chakra posthumously, previously he was also conferred with Sena Medal gallantry.[1][2]
Manpreet Singh | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Col Singh | |
| Born | 1982 Amritsar, Punjab, India |
| Died | 13 September 2023 (aged 41) Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Cause of death | KIA |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 2005-2023 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | IC-67028M |
| Unit | 12 SIKH LI 19 RR |
| Commands | 19 RR |
| Awards |  Kirti Chakra Sena Medal (Gallantry) |
| Alma mater | Indian Military Academy |
Early life
editSingh was born in 1982 in Amritsar, Punjab. He was a resident of Bharonjian in Mohali district of Punjab. He is the son of Late Naik Lakhmeer Singh and Smt Manjeet Kaur. His grandfather Sheetal Singh, and uncle Ranjit Singh also served in the Indian Army. He had a brother Sandeep Singh and sister Sandeep Kaur. He did his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya Mullanpur in Punjab. He completed his graduation in SD College Chandigarh, where he pursued B.Com. Thereafter, he got a degree in Chartered Accountancy. He worked as a chartered accountant for a few years. Then, he successfully cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination in 2004 and joined the Army.[3]
Military career
editHe passed out from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2005. He got commissioned into 12 Sikh Light Infantry of Indian Army. Later he was deputed to serve with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. He served as Second in Command (2IC) from 2019 to 2021 with 19 RR and later became the Commanding Officer.[4]
Anantnag operation
editDuring 2023, 19 RR was deployed in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir for counterinsurgency operations. In a span of 5 years, Lt Col Manpreet Singh had taken part in a numerous operations and was decorated with the Sena Medal, for gallantry in 2021.[5] On 13 Sep 2023, the security forces received information from intelligence sources about the presence of some hardcore terrorists in the dense forests surrounding Gadool village of Kokernag in South Kashmir's Anantnag district.[6] A joint team of 19 RR and Jammu and Kashmir Police was planned on the same night. When the team reached the place, hidden terrorists started gun fire to escape from that place. Singh was commanding the operation and ordered to start firing. A fierce gun battle was going on. In the operation Col Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, Sepoy Pradeep Singh from 19 RR and DSP Himayun Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir were killed in Action.[7] For Singh's bravery, legacy and leadership he was posthumously awarded India's second highest peacetime gallantry award the Kirti Chakra on 15 August 2024.[8][9] Along with DSP Himayun Bhat was also awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously for his bravery, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Sepoy Pradeep Singh were awarded with the third highest peacetime gallantry award the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.[10] In the single operation 2 Kirti Chakra and 2 Shaurya Chakra were posthumously awarded to the bravehearts.
Kirti Chakra Citation
editThe Kirti Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army Website reads as follows:
CITATION
COLONEL MANPREET SINGH, SENA MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
IC-67028M, THE SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY/ 19TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES
(Effective date of the award: 13 September, 2023)
"On 13 September 2023, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal was heading a specific search and destroy operation in densely forested hills of a village in Anantnag District. As the terrorist hideout was located and identified, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire in a bid to escape. Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal unmindful of his own safety, returned fire towards the escaping terrorists resulting in killing of one terrorist. Displaying extraordinary leadership the officer quickly reorganised the party to plug the escape routes. He continued to direct fire on the terrorists. However, in the ensuing gunfight Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal sustained severe Gun Shot Wound on the Forehead. Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal displayed raw courage and unparallel leadership by leading from the front. His undaunting valour and quick decision making led to the elimination of one terrorist and preventing escape of other terrorists. The neutralized terrorist was later identified as affiliated to a proscribed terrorist group. For displaying conspicuous bravery, raw courage, exemplary leadership and excellent tactical acumen with sheer disregard to
his own safety, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal is awarded with “KIRTI CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)”."[11]
Personal life
editSingh married Ms Jagmeet Kaur in 2016. They have a son, Kabir Singh, and a daughter, Vani.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Colonel Manpreet Singh". Gallantry Awards.
- ^ "Indian Army Colonel Manpreet Singh posthumously awarded Kirti Chakra for sacrifice in J&K's Anantnag". Times of India.
- ^ "Colonel Manpreet Singh, SM". Honourpoint.
- ^ "Army Colonel Killed In Action Was Offered A Peace Posting. He Refused". NDTV. 14 September 2023.
- ^ "2 years ago, Col Manpreet Singh received Sena Medal for neutralising terrorists". The Tribune.
- ^ "Colonel Manpreet Singh martyred in Anantnag operation: Father of two kids; 'We spoke at 6.45am'". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "All about Colonel Manpreet Singh — Army officer killed in action in J&K". CNBCTV.
- ^ "Indian Army's Colonel Manpreet Singh awarded posthumous Kirti Chakra". India Today.
- ^ "Mohali Colonel awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously". The Tribune.
- ^ "DSP Himayun Bhat, Col Manpreet Singh Conferred Gallantry Awards | The Tales Of Bravery".
- ^ Recipients of Gallantry Awards 9n the ocassion of Independence Day,2024, Gallantry Awards Website of the Indian Ministry of Defence