Gunner Satyavir Singh

Gunner Satyavir Singh hailed from Andhop village in the Palwal district of Haryana. Gnr Satyavir was a keen sportsman since his childhood and had taken part in various sports activities during his school days. He was good at Kabbadi and had won many medals in athletics too. His interest in sports and adventure influenced his inclination towards the Army, which he joined in the year 1984. He was recruited into the 170 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, the important combat support arm of Indian Army.

His love for sports continued in his service career too and he participated in various sports tournaments representing his unit. He got married to Ms Rajwati Devi and the couple was blessed with a son, Manjeet Kumar, who also decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and joined the Army (Serving with the 95 Field Regiment). During 1987, Gnr Satyavir Singh was sent to Sri Lanka as part of IPKF operations in Op Pawan.

Operation Pawan: 15 Dec 1987

During 1987, Gnr Satyavir Singh's unit 170 Field Regiment was deployed in Allahabad, as part of 4 Arty Bde under the command of Col HJ Singh.  Following Indo-Sri Lanka accord signed on 29 July 1987, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was inducted in Sri Laka in August 1987. The elements of 170 Fd Regt too were inducted into Sri Lanka from 23 Nov 1987 as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). Gnr Satyavir also joined the team of 170 Fd Regt that was inducted as part of IPKF operations. As part of the Indo-Sri Lanka accord, 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. Gnr Satyavir Singh and his comrades had established various observation posts(OP) to monitor the activities of LTTE and secure their AOR(Area of Responsibility). The troops also launched armed patrols to monitor the area in between the posts. On 15 Dec 1987, Gnr Satyavir proceeded with an armed patrol under the leadership of Lt Shah Maluk Dutt, to occupy one of the observation posts(OP)in their AOR.

On the morning of 15 Dec 1987, Gnr Satyavir along with his officer and soldiers set off for the OP along the pre-planned route. The route passed through thick jungle and treacherous terrain. However, despite the challenges, Gnr Satyavir and his comrades trudged on, in the unknown terrain where springing an ambush was the norm followed by the enemy.  As was the modus operandi of the LTTE, Gnr Satyavir Singh's team was ambushed by the insurgents in a sudden and surprising manner.  Rising to the occasion, Gnr Satyavir's team immediately swung into action and returned fire trying to counter the ambush. The LTTE militants were hiding in safe places and attacking from vantage points. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Gnr Satyavir Singh and his men fought bravely unmindful of their own safety. However in the fierce gun battle, Gnr Satyavir along with Lt SM Dutt and L/Nk Udai Narain Singh got severely injured. They soon succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Gnr Satyavir Singh was a brave and committed soldier, who laid down his life in the service of the nation, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army.