Service No : 06262-F
Date of Birth : January 18, 1986
Place of birth : Visakhapatnam, AP
Last Rank : Commander
Unit : INS Vikramaditya
Arm/Regt : Indian Navy
Awards : Nao Sena Medal
Martyrdom : November 26, 2020
Commander Nishant Singh NM
Commander Nishant Singh was born on 18 Jan 1986 at Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani in Vishakhapatnam. Son of a Naval officer Cdr Yash Vir Singh (Retd) and Smt Promila Singh, he grew up in various Naval bases, imbibing the culture and ethos of Indian Navy. Cdr Nishant aspired to follow in the footsteps of his father and don Naval uniform since his younger days. He studied at Navy Children Schools in Goa and Vishakhapatnam, where the foundation of his future Naval career was laid. His dream came true when he got commissioned into the Executive branch of the Indian Navy on 01 July 2008 at the age of 22 years.
Subsequently he joined Naval Aviation and got trained as a fighter pilot. He soon developed into an ace pilot and became a qualified flying instructor adept on Kiran, Hawk and Mig-29K aircraft. He also had the distinction of earning the 'Wings of Gold' after advance strike training with the US Navy, in December 2011. By the year 2020, he had been promoted to the rank of Commander and had served in various Naval bases in over 12 yeas of service. Besides being one of its most accomplished aviators, Cdr Nishant was also a qualified mountaineer as well as a skilled yachtsman. In May 2020, while seeking permission from his Commanding Officer to get married to Ms Nayaab Randhawa, Cdr Nishant's humor-laden letter titled “Permission to bite the bullet” had caught the imagination of many in social media.
MiG 29K Crash: 26 Nov 2020
During Nov 2020, Cdr Nishant was serving with at INS Hansa the Naval base at Goa. He was serving with the Indian Navy’s famed “Black Panther” squadron flying MiG-29K aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The Naval fighter pilots like Cdr Nishant managed the additional complexity of landing their machines on a moving aircraft carrier deck by snagging the “tailhook” to arresting high-tensile wires, after having approached the deck at exactly the right angle. All strategizing and coordination had to happen in a matter of seconds and demanded a very high order of flying skills. Being an accomplished flying instructor, Cdr Nishant would often fly with young pilots in a trainer aircraft to give them experience on various air operations.
Cdr Nishant was flying one such mission on 26 Nov 2020 in a two seater MiG-29K along with a young pilot. Soon after getting airborne at about 1627 hours on 26 Nov from INS Vikramaditya off Goa coast post international exercise 'Malabar 2020' with the US Navy, his MiG-29K encountered an abrupt and uncontrolled nose-down movement. After retracting the undercarriage, the attitude aggravated to further nose down. Despite Cdr Nishant's resilient attempt to counter the same with stick-back movement, the aircraft continued to pitch down rapidly with a rate of descent of almost 15000 feet/minute at extremely low altitudes close to water. As a result Cdr Nishant and his trainee pilot were experiencing negative gravity conditions due to the rapid pitch-down of the aircraft. With remote chances of any further recovery, Cdr Nishant took the extreme step of selfless sacrifice to save his trainee pilot, despite being fully aware of his impending death. The Indian Navy launched massive search operations, deploying nine warships, 14 aircraft and fast interceptor craft. The young pilot was rescued but Cdr Nishant could not be saved and his body was recovered 11 days after the mishap on 07 December in the Arabian Sea, 70 metres below water and 30 miles off the Goa coast. Cdr Nishant Singh was a gallant soldier and committed Naval fighter pilot, who laid down his life in the line of his duty.
Cdr Nishant Singh was awarded "Nao Sena Medal" (Gallantry) posthumously for his dauntless courage and selfless actions in dire circumstances. Cdr Nishant Singh is survived by his father Cdr Yash Vir Singh (Retd), mother Smt Promila Singh and wife Smt Nayaab Randhawa.
Dhruv Kumar pandey
2021 at 9:58 amIt’s always being an honour and feeling of proud in knowing these superheroes who had done exceptionally well for our country and countrymen.
Always a big salute to the bravest.
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:30 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Mohammed Anees
2021 at 3:05 pmYou are our shaan and abhimaan. I respect the sacrifice you have made for us throughout your life. We love you! I feel the same not only when our country goes through the difficult time, but every time I see a uniform. You are our freedom fighters, our freedom – which you ensure. May god bless you and your family!
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:31 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Manasa Mallela
2021 at 3:27 pmDear Nishanth Singh,
I want to say “THANK YOU” for your service to protect our country.
“Thank you” is a very small word before your courage and sacrifice. You are the guardian of the nation and protect teh citizens at any cost.
You have sacrificed your life to save the country and being away from family is not an easy thing but you have done it.
I know you risked your life trying to protect our rights. You have joined the airforce out of love for your motherland and to protect it.
Because of you we live a life of luxury and we are safe and happy with our family.
We all proud of you.
Thank You
Jai Hind
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:35 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Nishant was a Fighter Pilot in the Indian Navy operating from the Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya with mother Base as INS Hansa.
Himanshu Bhardwaj
2021 at 3:37 pmCommander Nishant – My heartfelt gratitude for your service to the nation. You were an extremely bright and a brave man . Thank you for inspiring me and it was an honor for me to learn your story sir. You continue to live on in our hearts.
Nayaab mam – Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. The nation will always be in your debt. Jai Hind.
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:37 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Sandeep Yeligotla
2021 at 3:39 pmWhen the nation is about to drown,
There are people standing firm to protect its crown.
They thrive for the nation day and night,
Against nature and enemies they stand to fight.
Without any fear they sacrifice their life,
Not even thinking about their children and wife.
The pride of the nation is what they preserve,
But still don’t get the respect that they deserve.
Guarding border and sharing shoulder,
With nothing to eat and dying beneath,
Their eyes never show that they’ve cried,
But protecting their people will always make them smile with pride.
Every time a soldier dies,
Motherland in grief always cries.
How would it be for a father to see his son go up to the skies before him?
How would it be for a mother who still remembers his last words while leaving home “I’ll come back soon, Ma”
How would it be for a young wife with a 2 years old daughter to dare to imagine her future without him?
How would be for a sister/brother to look at the home without him?
But he comes home,
With medals on his chest,
Wrapped up in the national flag,
Telling the nation not to cry,
As he was a soldier born to die!
He is your brother,
Fighting for the same mother,
Do you even bother or realize his sacrifices?
It’s high time to acknowledge what they did which you are not able to do,
Your freedom comes at the cost of their lives.
Visit a soldier’s home, contribute something to their family, share love, bring smiles to the bereaved families.
Though the word “Thank You” is not a sufficient one, it’s the least we can all do and say…
Thank you so much for your service and bravery!!!
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:41 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Commander Nishant Singh got married on 10th May 2020 and the crash happened on 26th Nov 2020. He had no children. Just for your information please.
ANNS MARIA VARGHESE
2021 at 3:42 pmThey say that soldier is a true citizen and a true contributor of the country. I guess it true. They have always been a true inspiration to all the citizens .
Being for a defense background myself I know how difficult it is to be at the border with your life on stake for the people of the country.
All the thank and respect will be wordless and not enough for the contribution you have made for us and the country .
I can surely promise you that you will always be in our memories and prayer and everytime we have a proud moment , your presence will not be missed .
I am also thankful to your parents for being supportive and encouraging to the difficult decision you made.
Proud of you
You are truly the son the Mother India
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:43 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Amit Gautam
2021 at 3:58 pmThe words are not enough to express the feeling of pride that emerged through your extraordinary sacrifice. However, the story of your bravery will inspire all of us and our future generation. Jai Hind.
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:43 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Neha Mittal
2021 at 4:26 pmIt’s an honour to know you by reading your story above. Extremely sorry for your untimely demise and my heart goes out to your family.
I’m sure that your absence is felt by everyone who knew you personally and it’s a great loss for all young pilots who could have learned so much from your experience.
I salute you and your family and pray for them, I send my heartfelt thoughts, warm wishes and strength to your family in these difficult times!!
Jai hind!
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:44 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Tanya Sethi
2021 at 7:39 pmYou have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your husband made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country. He is my hero. May his soul rest in peace.
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 11:45 amJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son and expression of Sympathy for my Daughter-in law. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.
Ezabel Gomes
2021 at 12:20 amHis Life
In our warm cozy beds we sleep,
And somewhere in a village a mother silently weeps.
Her soldier son is out there fighting a battle,
While his wife soothes the baby with a bright new rattle.
I wake up in the morning,
And complain about my burnt toast.
While the soldier goes hungry planning for his next post.
As I make my way through the day,
Cribbing and complaining about a wasteful life.
Oblivion of the hardships that our soldiers strive.
Every hour, every minute, every second;
Is a chance for us to cherish what we have.
Only a soldier knows the worth;
It’s time we understand.
The family is in pain,
But his life has not gone in vain.
A beautiful life he insured for me and you,
Let’s salute our soldiers for a future bright and new.
Jai Hind!
CDR YASH VIR SINGH
2021 at 12:04 pmJAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.