Capt Arvind Vikram Singh SC

Capt Arvind Vikram Singh hailed from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh and was born into a military family. The only child of an army veteran Lt Col Vijay Singh (Retd) (An infantry officer from the Madras Regiment), he completed his school education at Army Public School Dhaula Kuan in Delhi.  He was inclined to serve in the Armed Forces and always wanted to don the military uniform like his father right from his younger days. He continued to work towards his dream, and eventually cracked the prestigious NDA examination. He joined NDA as part of the 80th course in June 1988 and was allotted the 'Foxtrot' Squadron. He excelled in various aspects of training at NDA and passed out in June 1991.

He then went to IMA Dehradun for further training and passed out as part of 90th Course on 13 Jun 1992. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into 2 Garhwal Rifles Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment, an infantry regiment well known for its valiant soldiers and a number of battle honours. After commissioning, he joined the field unit and very soon won praise from his seniors and juniors as well for his field craft skills and commitment. He then underwent the Young Officers Course in the Infantry School, Mhow, and was awarded the Best Student Award. Thereafter in the Commando Course in Junior Leadership Wing, Belgaum, he once again did exceedingly well and was awarded the 'Best Student Award' yet again. Later on 03 June 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and continued to show superior soldierly skills in various operations. 

Operation Rakshak (J&K) : 07 Jul 1994

During 1994, Capt Arvind Vikram Singh’s unit was deployed in the Baramulla district of J&K. As the unit’s AOR (Area of Responsibility) was seriously affected by militancy, the unit was engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a frequent basis. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh within a short time gained proficiency in such operations and proved his mettle in a number of operations. He undertook one such counter-insurgency operation on 22/23 May 1994.  He was tasked to lead an ambush in Palhalan village on the night of 22/23 May 94. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh along with his team moved to the ambush area on the 22nd May night in total stealth and waited in silence to launch the ambush. On 22 May suspicious movement of three persons was observed from the direction of Village-Palhalan. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh displaying courage and nerves of steel let the militants come up to the centre of the ambush and exhibiting utter disregard to personal safety managed to eliminate one militant.  The other militants directed a heavy volume of fire and lobbed grenades to break the cordon but this did not deter Capt Arvind Vikram Singh and his party to close in and with unflinching courage, they shot dead one militant and overpowered the other militant alive. As a result of this gallant action besides apprehending a dreaded militant, two rifles AK-56 with six magazines, one grenade, and 147 rounds were recovered. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh was given the gallantry award “Shaurya Chakra” for his outstanding courage, leadership, and camaraderie during the operation. 

In Jul 1994, Capt AV Singh was tasked with another operation. After conducting operations at village-Hayan at 1830 hours on 07 Jul 94 the unit troops moved tactically to cross the Indus River having a span of 400m with three prominent water channels. At about 1920 hours on 07 Jul, while crossing the Indus River over an improvised three feet wide wooden bridge one his soldiers Rifleman Digamber Singh lost balance and fell into the fast-flowing  Indus River. Capt AV Singh displaying exemplary courage with total disregard for personal safety,  jumped in the torrential current of the mighty Indus to save his fellow soldier. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh negotiating through huge boulders managed to grab hold of Rifleman Digamber Singh and tried to bring him to safety. However, while doing so, Capt AV Singh got swept away and lost his life in trying to save the soldier. Capt Arvind Vikram Singh was a valiant soldier and a gritty officer, who laid down his life in the line of his duty.