Capt Mandeep Singh

Captain Mandeep Singh hailed from the vibrant city of Jalandhar in Punjab, a state known for its deep-rooted martial traditions and indomitable spirit of patriotism. He was born on 19 May 1969 to Shri Kanwaljit Singh and Smt Ravinder Kaur, in a family that nurtured strong values of discipline, dedication, and service. From an early age, Capt Mandeep displayed qualities of leadership, physical strength, and a burning desire to serve the nation. He pursued his higher education at Guru Nanak Dev University and was an active student during his college years at DAV College and Khalsa College in Jalandhar. Apart from excelling in academics, he had a keen interest in bodybuilding and fitness. His commitment and passion for the sport saw him participating in several prestigious competitions, including Mr. Punjab and Mr. Jalandhar, earning recognition for his strength and determination.

Despite his achievements in academics and bodybuilding, it was the uniformed life of a soldier that truly called out to him. His dream of joining the Indian Army took shape when he successfully cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination. In 1991, he was commissioned into the Corps of Air Defence Artillery—later re-designated as the Corps of Army Air Defence on 18 April 2005—responsible for defending the nation's airspace against aerial threats. Capt Mandeep was posted to the 49 Air Defence Regiment, where he served with distinction across various operational locations. His competence, leadership, and dedication to duty earned him the respect of his peers and seniors alike. In 1998, Capt Mandeep was deputed to the Rashtriya Rifles, the Army’s elite counter-insurgency force. He was attached to the 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, which was actively involved in operations in the volatile region. As tensions escalated in 1999 during the Kargil conflict, Capt Mandeep continued his service in the treacherous terrain of Jammu & Kashmir, where Indian forces were engaged in intense counter-insurgency and defensive operations.

Kupwara Attack: 06 Aug 1999

Though the official cessation of hostilities in the Kargil War was declared on 26 July 1999, the Line of Control (LoC) remained volatile in the weeks that followed. Tensions were high, and the Indian Army remained in a heightened state of alert across Jammu & Kashmir. During this sensitive period in August 1999, a large number of Army personnel were redeployed to the Anantnag region to provide security for the annual Amarnath Yatra, leaving other strategic areas relatively less guarded. This temporary vacuum in troop deployment was identified and exploited by militant groups operating in the region. Kupwara town, strategically located near the LoC and known for frequent infiltration attempts, was one such area. The responsibility for its security was handed over to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Sensing an opportunity, a group of heavily armed militants launched a pre-planned and coordinated assault on the Army camp of 4 Rashtriya Rifles (4 RR) in Chak Nutnusa village, Kupwara district, during the early hours of 06 August 1999.

At approximately 1:15 am, the militants carried out a surprise attack, targeting the Army camp under the cover of darkness. Captain Mandeep Singh, who was serving as the Company Commander of the 4 RR unit at the time, immediately took charge of the situation. Despite the suddenness of the assault and the intensity of the fire, Capt Mandeep displayed exemplary leadership and presence of mind. Rallying his troops, he mounted a resolute counterattack, engaging the militants in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange of heavy fire that followed, Capt Mandeep Singh was hit by a bullet in the left infraclavicular region of his chest. Though grievously wounded, he continued to lead his men in the firefight until he collapsed from his injuries. He soon succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. His courage and quick action, however, played a crucial role in thwarting the militant attack and saving many lives within the camp.

The attack claimed the lives of three more brave soldiers of the 4 RR unit: Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana, Naik Mithilesh Pathak, and Sowar Sohan Singh Solanki. Together, these gallant men stood their ground against overwhelming odds and defended their comrades till their last breath. Known affectionately as "Harry" among his peers and friends, Captain Mandeep Singh was widely respected for his spirited nature, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty. His leadership qualities, physical strength, and fearless demeanor made him a beloved commander among the ranks. Captain Mandeep Singh’s sacrifice at the age of 30 years serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of freedom and peace.

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Capt Mandeep Singh is survived by his father Shri Kanwaljit Singh, mother Smt Ravinder Kaur, wife Smt Rajwinder Kaur, daughters Ms Gurmehar and Ms Bani, and brothers Shri Davinderdeep Singh & Shri Inderdeep Singh.