Service No : 15127625A

Date of Birth : February 27, 1977

Place of birth : Cachar Dist,, Assam

Service : Army

Last Rank : Gunner

Unit : 315 Fd Regt

Arm/Regt : The Regiment of Artillery

Operation : Op Vijay ( Kargil )

Awards : Sena Medal

Martyrdom : July 2, 1999

Gunner INC Singha SM

Gunner I Nanda Chand Singha hailed from Awang Leikai village in Lakhimpur Tehsil of ​​Cachar district of Assam. Son of Shri I Ketamani Singh and Smt I Benda Devi, Gunner INC Singha was born on 27 Feb 1977. He joined the Army after completing his initial education on 24 Feb 1996 at the age of 19 years. He was recruited to the 315 Field Regiment in the Artillery Regiment of the Indian Army. He got posted to the trouble-torn J&K after completing his training. 

 

Kargil Operations: 14 May to 02 July 1999

 

Gunner I Nanda Chand’s unit, the 315 Field Regiment under the command of Col NA Subramanian was the first artillery unit to be deployed in Drass in the initial phase of the Kargil war on 14 May 1999. The very first day when the regiment arrived at the base camp in Drass, they were heavily fired upon. Even though they were unaware of the enemy’s position they fought bravely and retaliated the attack. During that period Gunner Nand Chand’s 315 field regiment, was responsible for supporting operations for 1 Naga, 8 Sikh, 17 Jat, and 16 Grenadiers regiments who finally went on to capture Tololing, Point 5140, Black Tooth, Tiger Hill, Point 4875 (Gun Hill), in the Drass – Mushkoh Valley from the intruders. The period between the 14th to 31st of May was the toughest one for the unit as they had to fire at one position and quickly move on to another location to avoid detection continuously. With the responsibility of infantry units on their shoulders, 315 Field Regiment often faced two choices at night —Either they could stop firing and wait till morning or they could keep firing to protect the infantry units. 315 Field Regiment chose the latter and provided a continuous shield to the infantry units.
 
As part of ongoing operations, 192 Mountain Brigade of 8 Mountain Division commanded by Brig MPS Bajwa was entrusted with the task of capturing "Tiger Hill" by 04 July. A fire plan by the Artillery units was formulated to degrade the enemy defences, before the assault by 18 Grenadiers and 8 Sikh. On the evening of July 2nd, 1999, 315 Fd Regt had the choice — to continue firing or to stop firing. The infantry units (18 Grenadiers and 8 Sikh) would’ve been in danger had they stopped. Gunner Singha’s  'Second-in-Command' Maj Dwivedi again chose the former, rushing out of his tent and motivating his boys to keep firing, to keep attacking the enemy. Gunner INC Singha who was manning one of the guns, kept pounding the enemy positions to cause maximum damage. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Gunner I Nanda Chand got seriously injured by one of the enemy shells. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Besides Gunner I Nand Chand Singha, the other martyred brave hearts of 315 Fd Regt during the operation included his 'Second-in-Command' Major CB Dwivedi, Lance Hav Mallayya, Naik Sarvan Kumar, Naik Bishuni Rai, L/Nk P Gopaiah and Gnr Raj Kumar. Gunner INC Singha was a brave and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 22 years in the line of his duty. Gnr I Nanda Chand Singha was awarded the "Sena Medal" posthumously for his commendable gallantry, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. 
 

Gunner I Nand Chand Singha is survived by his father Shri I Ketamani Singh and mother Smt I Benda Devi.

  • If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
    click here
No Comments

Post a Comment