2nd Lt Rakesh Singh AC

2nd Lieutenant Rakesh Singh was born on 18 September 1970 in Chandigarh into a distinguished military family. He was the son of Colonel Raj Singh, an Army veteran, and Smt. Savitri. Growing up in an environment deeply rooted in the values of patriotism, discipline, and service to the nation, 2nd Lt Rakesh Singh developed a profound admiration for the Armed Forces from an early age. Inspired by his father's exemplary service, he resolved in his childhood to dedicate his own life to the defence of the nation. The youngest of three siblings, 2nd Lt Rakesh completed his early schooling at St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Kirkee (Pune) before continuing his education at Model School, Rohtak. An intelligent, disciplined, and determined student, he remained steadfast in his ambition to join the Indian Army. His perseverance and hard work bore fruit when he was selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA), the country's premier institution for training future military leaders.

Joining the 79th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, he underwent rigorous military training that further strengthened his leadership qualities, courage, and commitment to duty. After successfully graduating from the NDA, he proceeded to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for his pre-commission training. On 13 June 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 22 Grenadiers, one of the Indian Army's most distinguished infantry battalions, renowned for its fearless soldiers, glorious traditions, and exceptional record of gallantry in battle.

Shopian Operation: 05 Dec 1992

During June 1992, Second Lieutenant Rakesh Singh's unit, 22 Grenadiers, was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. The early 1990s marked one of the most challenging phases in the Valley, with terrorist violence at its peak. The battalion was entrusted with maintaining law and order, conducting search-and-destroy operations, protecting civilians, and preventing heavily armed militants from carrying out attacks and escaping to their hideouts. The operational environment demanded constant vigilance, exceptional courage, and quick decision-making from every officer and soldier.

On 5 December 1992, intelligence inputs revealed that a group of eight heavily armed terrorists, who had carried out a violent attack in Shopian Tehsil of Pulwama district, was attempting to escape towards their hideouts. The 22 Grenadiers immediately launched a coordinated operation to intercept and eliminate the terrorists before they could evade the security forces. Second Lieutenant Rakesh Singh, who was commanding 'B' Company, was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of blocking the terrorists' escape route. While deploying his troops in the western outskirts of Paadarpur village, he received information at around 7:00 a.m. from another company that the terrorists had changed direction and had reached the southern side of the village after fleeing from the attack site. Realising that every passing moment increased the possibility of the terrorists escaping, Second Lieutenant Rakesh Singh assessed the situation without hesitation. Although he had only a limited number of troops at his disposal, he immediately reorganised his men and moved swiftly to cut off the terrorists' escape route. Fully aware of the risks involved, he chose to lead the operation from the front, displaying the finest traditions of military leadership.

As his troops closed in, the terrorists were challenged to surrender. Instead, they opened heavy and indiscriminate fire with automatic weapons in a desperate attempt to break through the security cordon. Undeterred by the intense firing, 2nd Lt Rakesh Singh led his men in a fierce counter-assault. Displaying remarkable composure and courage under fire, he personally engaged the terrorists and succeeded in eliminating two militants. Finding themselves trapped and facing determined resistance, the remaining terrorists attempted to flee through another route. However, one of the soldiers of 2nd Lt Rakesh Singh's company courageously blocked their escape path. Observing that his soldier was exposed to grave danger, the young officer immediately decided to come to his rescue. Without any regard for his own safety, he charged towards a tactically advantageous position through a hail of bullets to provide covering fire and prevent the terrorists from escaping. During this daring manoeuvre, Second Lieutenant Rakesh Singh was struck by bullets in his shoulder and arm. Despite sustaining serious injuries and enduring intense pain, he refused to withdraw from the battle. Demonstrating extraordinary determination and indomitable fighting spirit, he regained his position, continued to engage the terrorists with accurate fire, and personally eliminated three more terrorists.

The fearless example set by their young company commander inspired every soldier of the company. Motivated by his exceptional leadership and courage, the troops fought with renewed determination and launched a relentless assault on the remaining terrorists. In the fierce exchange of fire that followed, the soldiers of 22 Grenadiers neutralised the remaining three terrorists, thereby completing the mission and preventing the militants from escaping to continue their campaign of violence. Although the operation ended in a decisive success, 2nd Lt Rakesh Singh had sustained grievous injuries while leading his men from the front. He later succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. He was only 22 years old, but in his brief military career, he displayed extraordinary courage, selfless leadership, and an unwavering commitment to duty that exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Army. In recognition of his most conspicuous bravery, exceptional leadership, and supreme sacrifice, 2nd Lt Rakesh Singh was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. His heroic actions remain an enduring source of inspiration for generations of soldiers and citizens alike, symbolising the values of courage, selflessness, and devotion to the nation.

The citation for the "Ashok Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 5th December 1992, 2/Lt Rakesh Singh’s company was assigned the task of cutting off the escape route of eight fleeing Afghan Mujahedin, flushed out during the operation. In the process, exemplifying the spirit of aggressiveness, he single-handedly killed five of the retreating Mujahedeen before succumbing to fatal injuries sustained during the operation. In recognition of his brave and selfless act, he was awarded the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the “Ashok Chakra" posthumously.