Service No : 4569139K

Place of birth : Gurdaspur Dist (Pun)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Lance Naik

Unit : 10 Para (SF)

Arm/Regt : The Parachute Regiment

Operation : CI & IS Ops

Awards : Sena Medal

Martyrdom : July 3, 2004

Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh SM

Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh hailed from the village of Bhamboi in Rajgarh tehsil of Gurdaspur district in Punjab. He was the son of Shri Kulwant Singh and Smt. Harbans Kaur. Growing up in a region known for its strong martial traditions and deep sense of patriotism, Lakhbir Singh developed an early aspiration to serve the nation in the armed forces. From a young age, he nurtured the dream of joining the Indian Army and dedicating his life to the defence of the country. Driven by determination and a strong sense of duty, he eventually fulfilled this ambition and was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army, one of the elite infantry regiments known for its airborne and special operations roles. Subsequently, on account of his professional competence and successful completion of the rigorous selection and training process, he was inducted into the 10th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), a premier unit specializing in high-risk and strategic operations. This battalion is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished and formidable special forces units in the Indian Army. Raised on 1 June 1967, 10 Para (SF) has earned a formidable reputation for its operational excellence and daring missions. The unit is popularly known as the “Desert Scorpions,” a title that reflects both its specialization in desert warfare and its lethal effectiveness in hostile and challenging environments.

 

Service in 10 Para (SF) demands exceptional physical fitness, mental strength, and unwavering dedication. The officers and soldiers of this battalion undergo some of the most rigorous and demanding training programs in the Indian Army. Their preparation includes specialized instruction in desert warfare, unconventional combat, counter-insurgency, and deep penetration missions behind enemy lines. These elite commandos are trained to operate independently in extreme conditions, often far from conventional support systems, where precision, stealth, and adaptability are crucial for mission success. Members of the unit are frequently described as “men of steel,” a tribute to their extraordinary endurance, mental resilience, and unbreakable spirit. Their training equips them to survive and fight in some of the harshest terrains and most dangerous operational environments while maintaining the highest standards of discipline and professionalism. His selection into such an elite formation was a testament to his courage, commitment, and exceptional capability. Serving in 10 Para (Special Forces), he upheld the proud traditions of the regiment and demonstrated a steadfast dedication to the ideals of duty, honour, and service to the nation.

 

Bandipora Operation: 03 July 2004

 

In 2004, Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh’s unit, the elite 10 Para (Special Forces) of the Parachute Regiment (India), was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to conduct counter-insurgency operations. At the time, the security situation in the region demanded constant vigilance, as militant groups frequently attempted to infiltrate villages and exploit the rugged terrain of the Kashmir Valley to evade security forces. During this deployment, security agencies received credible intelligence regarding the presence of a group of heavily armed and hardened terrorists operating in the Bandipora area. According to the information, the militants were moving through several villages in the region, using forests, fields, and civilian habitations as cover to conceal their movements. Their familiarity with the terrain and ability to blend into the local environment made it extremely challenging for security forces to track them. Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh was part of a Special Forces team assigned the demanding mission of locating and neutralizing this group of militants. The task required exceptional patience, stealth, and fieldcraft—skills essential for Special Forces personnel operating in hostile and uncertain environments.

 

After tracking the movements of terrorists in the area for several weeks through surveillance and intelligence gathering, a team of Special Forces commandos laid a carefully planned ambush along a route frequently used by the militants. On 3 July 2004, when the terrorists entered the ambush zone, a fierce encounter ensued. Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh, displaying exceptional courage and leadership, led the engagement and fought the militants at close quarters despite heavy retaliatory fire and difficult terrain. During the intense exchange of fire, he sustained multiple gunshot wounds but continued to engage the terrorists and motivate his comrades until the militants were successfully neutralized. However, the grievous injuries proved fatal, and Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Two other brave soldiers—Naik Balbir Singh Negi and Paratrooper Raju Singh Jat—also laid down their lives in the same operation. Their bravery ensured the elimination of a major terrorist threat in the region and safeguarded the lives of many civilians and security personnel.  Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh’s actions exemplified the highest traditions of courage, devotion to duty, and selfless service to the nation. In recognition of his exceptional bravery and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal.

 

Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh is survived by his father, Shri Kulwant Singh, and his mother, Smt. Harbans Kaur.

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1 Comment

  • Ripandeep

    2025 at 6:42 pm Reply

    Yes I have information about this brave soldier

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