Daffadar Indra Singh

Daffadar Indra Singh hailed from Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. From a young age, he nurtured a strong desire to serve the nation by joining the Armed Forces. After completing his schooling, he pursued this aspiration and joined the Indian Army. He was recruited into the 16 Cavalry Regiment of the Armoured Corps, one of the elite combat arms of the Indian Army. The Armoured Corps plays a crucial role in modern warfare by providing mobility, protection and firepower, enabling the Army to undertake rapid offensive and defensive operations. Serving in this arm requires courage, discipline, technical proficiency and the ability to remain composed under challenging battlefield conditions. As a soldier of 16 Cavalry, he became part of a proud military tradition built on valour, comradeship, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the nation.

Daffadar Indra Singh was married to Ms. Sharda. Alongside his responsibilities as a husband, he remained dedicated to his duties as a soldier. Like countless other servicemen, he balanced his family commitments with the demands of military life, remaining ever ready to fulfil his responsibilities and serve the nation whenever called upon.

Counter-Terrorist Operation (J&K): 26 Sep 2013

In September 2013, the unit of Daffadar Indra Singh's unit was deployed in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, a region vulnerable to cross-border infiltration and terrorist activities. The troops stationed there remained on constant alert to counter potential threats and safeguard military installations and nearby residential areas. On the morning of 26 September 2016, the unit’s Officers’ Mess Complex came under attack by a group of heavily armed terrorists. At approximately 7:10 AM, intense gunfire was heard in the vicinity of the complex. On receiving information about the attack, Dafadar Indra Singh, who was part of the designated response team, immediately moved towards the affected area alongside Lt Col Bikram Jit Singh, Sowar Srinivas Meesala and Sowar Kiran Kumar Reddy. The terrorists had taken cover in a nullah and were firing at the troops with automatic weapons. Their movements posed a serious threat, as they were attempting to advance towards the adjoining Officers’ Married Accommodation Complex, where the families of serving Army personnel resided. Recognising the grave danger to these families, the soldiers moved swiftly to contain the terrorists and prevent them from reaching the residential area. Despite coming under heavy and sustained fire, Dafadar Indra Singh and his comrades continued to engage the attackers with courage and determination, preventing them from advancing towards the family accommodation.

During the fierce exchange of fire, Lt Col Bikram Jit Singh sustained grievous injuries. Undeterred by the danger, he continued to lead from the front and moved towards the terrorists’ position to direct the operation and counter the threat. Throughout the engagement, Daffadar Indra Singh remained steadfast alongside his team, returning fire and helping to keep the terrorists pinned down. As the militants attempted to change positions and escape while firing indiscriminately, the troops continued their determined response, preventing them from breaking through the cordon and reaching the nearby residential complex. The intense engagement resulted in serious injuries to several soldiers. The injured personnel were evacuated promptly to the Army Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, despite the best efforts of the medical team, Lt Col Bikram Jit Singh, Dafadar Indra Singh, Sowar Srinivas Meesala and Sowar Kiran Kumar Reddy succumbed to their injuries. Daffadar Indra Singh made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty while confronting heavily armed terrorists and helping protect his comrades and the families of serving Army personnel. 

Daffadar Indra Singh is survived by his wife, Smt. Sharda.