Captain Nirbhay Kumar Singh

Capt Nirbhay Kumar Singh was born on 15^th May 1966 and hailed from in Gopalpur Naugachia in Bhagalpur District of Bihar. Son of Shri Ayodya Singh and Mrs. Vimala Devi, Capt Nirbhay Kumar had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He completed his primary and secondary education in Gulab Takar Convent School in Saidpur. Later he went to Army school in Thilaya and BN School in Patna to complete his schooling. After completing his schooling he got selected to join the NDA and later went to Indian Military Academy in Dehradun to complete his training.

He was commissioned 11^th June 1988 at the age of 22 years into 16 Raj Rif of the Rajputana Rifles, the well-known infantry Regiment of Indian Army. The young Lt Nirbhay Kumar Singh was proud to be part of Rajputana Rifles Regiment and believed in its motto Veer Bhogya Vasundhara (वीर भोग्य वसुंधरा ) meaning “The Brave Shall Inherit the Earth”. After joining his unit, he soon honed his field craft skills while taking part in operations. When his unit became part of IPKF, he joined the operations in Sri Lanka as part of OP Pawan in 1989.

Operation Pawan: 15th May 1989

After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, as part of Indo-Sri Lanka accord signed on 29 July 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed war on Indian forces. Initially, only 54 division of the Army was inducted but the escalation of the operations brought three more divisions 3, 4 and 57 into the conflict. By May 1989, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. 16 Raj Rif was deployed in Puttur area and was engaged in operations against LTTE cadres on a regular basis.

Capt Nirbhay Kumar Singh was part of an operation on 15 May 1989 against LTTE. He got injured during the operation and later succumbed to his injuries. Capt Nirbhay Kumar Singh was a dedicated soldier and a fine officer who laid down his life at the age of 23 years in the line of his duty.

• A memorial has been erected in the honour of Captain Nirbhay Kumar Singh at  Smrithi Sadan Red Cross Road in Bhagalpur District of Bihar.