Lance Naik Raj Singh Khatana

Lance Naik Raj Singh Khatana hailed from Damdama village in Gurugram district of Haryana. Son of an Army veteran Hav Gajaraj Singh and Smt Bimla Devi, L/Nk Raj Singh was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters. He joined the Army in after completing his schooling in the year 2011. He was recruited into 5 Rajput battalion of the Rajput Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its fearless soldiers.

After serving for few years, he got married to Ms Ravitha  and the couple had two sons Rishabh and Anurag and a daughter Ishika. By the year 2020, he had been promoted to the rank of Lance Naik and served in various operational areas with challenging working conditions. After serving for few years with his parent, unit he was deputed to serve with 10 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. 

Doda Operation - 16/17 May 2020

During May 2020, Lance Naik Raj Singh's unit 10 RR was deployed in Doda district of J&K. As a number of militants were active in the unit’s AOR(Area of Responsibility), the unit troops had to maintain a very high state of preparedness at all times and had to undertake operations at a short notice. Based on the information from the intelligence sources, about the presence of some hardcore militants in Tasnal village of Doda district, the security forces decided to launch a joint combing operation on 16/17 May 2020, comprising the elements of Army, CRPF and J&K Police. Lance Naik Raj Singh was part of the team from 10 RR that was assigned the task of this operation. 

Lance Naik Raj Singh and his comrades reached the suspected village and cordoned off the area. As the operation was underway the terrorists hiding in the area attacked the troops to break the cordon and flee. A fierce gun-battle ensued thereafter lasting for over nine hours. During the drawn-out battle, Lance Naik Raj Singh and his comrades managed to eliminate two terrorists. During the heavy exchange of fire, Lance Naik Raj Singh got severely injured but despite his injury, he showed highest level of courage and valour by returning effective fire. Lance Naik Raj Singh was immediately shifted to the nearby medical facility for medical treatment. But he later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Lance Naik Raj Singh was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier, who laid down his life in the line of his duty. Lance Naik Raj Singh Khatana was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” on 26 Jan 2021 for his courage, camaraderie, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.