Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh

Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh hailed from Galhri village in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, a region renowned for its valiant sons who have served the nation with pride and dedication. Son of Shri Gulzar Singh, he displayed qualities of discipline, courage, and a deep sense of patriotism from an early age, which were nurtured by the cultural ethos of his homeland. Motivated by an unwavering passion to serve the motherland, LD Daljeet Singh decided to join the armed forces shortly after completing his schooling. His determination and perseverance earned him a place in the 14th Battalion of the Sindh Horse Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s distinguished armoured regiments with a glorious history of valour and service.

The Sindh Horse Regiment, with its rich traditions and combat excellence, provided him the platform to hone his professional skills and imbibe the values of loyalty, camaraderie, and selfless service. Over the years, Daljeet Singh proved himself as a dependable soldier, respected by both peers and superiors for his dedication to duty.  His service took him to various field postings — from the deserts of Rajasthan to the plains of Punjab, and the challenging high-altitude posts in Ladakh. He was particularly adept at high-altitude logistics and vehicle operations — a critical asset in difficult terrains like Ladakh, where every soldier must take on multiple roles.

Operational Movement (Ladakh): 30 July 2025

In 2025, Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Sindh Horse Regiment, a highly distinguished and battle-honoured armoured unit of the Indian Army. That year, the battalion was deployed in the strategically critical Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir—an operationally sensitive theatre owing to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) and the volatile security dynamics of the area. This high-altitude sector, dotted with mountaintop posts and forward operational bases, demanded unwavering vigilance to prevent militant infiltration and to safeguard India’s frontiers. The 14 Sindh Horse Regiment’s role extended far beyond its primary armoured combat responsibilities. The unit was entrusted with the operational readiness of multiple Army formations under its parent Command Headquarters. This involved providing specialised technical expertise in the repair, maintenance, and operational upkeep of armoured vehicles, advanced weapon systems, and mission-critical support equipment. Often, these responsibilities required personnel to travel across long and hazardous routes—through difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, and in areas prone to sudden natural hazards—ensuring that every formation within its Area of Responsibility (AOR) remained combat-ready.

The battalion’s AOR encompassed treacherous mountainous terrain, marked by extreme altitudes, sub-zero winters, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Troop and vehicle movement through the narrow, winding, and steep mountain roads demanded precision driving, patience, and a high degree of resilience. Yet, despite these challenges, the soldiers of the 14 Sindh Horse performed their duties with unflinching dedication, sustaining vital support to ongoing military operations in the sector. On 30 July 2025, Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh was assigned an operational movement task alongside Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh and a team of soldiers. The mission required them to travel by road as part of a convoy of 60 Armoured Regiment from Durbuk to Chongtash in the Galwan region of Ladakh—a route notorious for its rugged topography, unstable slopes, and loose rock formations. As was his hallmark, Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh led from the front, ensuring his men were fully prepared for the arduous journey.

At approximately 11:30 am, while their military vehicle was negotiating a particularly hazardous stretch of road, a massive boulder broke loose from a cliffside and crashed down with overwhelming force. The impact was instantaneous and devastating, crushing the vehicle beyond recognition. Both Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh and Lt Col Bhanu Pratap Singh sustained fatal injuries and made the supreme sacrifice on the spot, in the line of duty. A dedicated and brave soldier, Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh upheld the highest traditions of the Indian Army through his service and sacrifice.