Lt Navdeep Singh AC

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh hailed from the Gurdaspur district of Punjab and was born on 08 June 1985. He belonged to a proud military family with a deep-rooted tradition of service to the nation. His father, Subedar Major Joginder Singh, served in the Bengal Sappers for three decades and retired with the rank of Honorary Captain, while his grandfather too was a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. Thus, Lt Navdeep represented the third consecutive generation of his family to don the uniform, carrying forward the legacy of dedication and valour. Academically bright and disciplined, Lt Navdeep completed his graduation in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Gurdaspur, in 2006. Driven by the desire to broaden his horizons, he pursued higher studies and obtained a postgraduate degree in Management from the prestigious Army Institute of Management, Kolkata, in 2009. With these qualifications, he could have chosen a promising career in the corporate sector, but his inner calling was stronger than material pursuits.

Despite his academic and professional opportunities outside, Lt Navdeep Singh felt a strong urge to serve the motherland as a soldier. Motivated by his sense of duty and inspired by the military ethos imbibed since childhood, he joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. After undergoing rigorous training in leadership, tactics, and military ethos, he was commissioned on 19 March 2011 into the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), the branch entrusted with the vital responsibility of ensuring logistics and material support to the Army in both war and peace. However, young officers are often attached to fighting units for operational experience, and Lt Navdeep Singh’s first posting came to the 15 Maratha Light Infantry—an infantry battalion deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations.

Gurez sector Operation: 20 Aug 2011

In 2011, Lt Navdeep Singh was serving with his unit in the Gurez sector of North Kashmir, a region that had long been vulnerable to infiltration attempts from across the border. Known for its rugged terrain and strategic importance, Gurez demanded high alertness and operational readiness from every soldier deployed there. Given his exceptional skills, leadership qualities, and determination, Lt Navdeep was appointed the commander of the elite Ghatak Platoon of his battalion. The word “Ghatak” translates to “lethal” in Hindi, and each infantry battalion maintains such a platoon, trained and equipped for commando-style missions, raids, and special operations. On the night of 19 August 2011, intelligence inputs confirmed that a heavily armed group of around 17 hardcore terrorists had managed to infiltrate into Indian territory through the Gurez sector. Preventing their entry into the hinterland was critical, as such infiltrations often aimed to escalate violence and destabilize the region. The responsibility of intercepting and neutralizing this group was entrusted to the Ghatak Platoon, with Lt Navdeep leading from the front.

Relying on his tactical acumen, Lt Navdeep quickly assessed the likely route of infiltration and positioned his men strategically to achieve maximum advantage. His ability to anticipate enemy movement and prepare his troops for contact played a decisive role in what followed. Before long, the infiltrators were sighted moving through the area. Without hesitation, Lt Navdeep led the charge, displaying extraordinary courage. In the initial moments of engagement, he personally gunned down three terrorists at close range, galvanizing his men and gaining the upper hand in the fierce firefight that erupted. Bullets flew from both sides as the operation escalated into a full-scale encounter in the harsh mountainous terrain. In the midst of this intense exchange of fire, Lt Navdeep spotted another terrorist attempting to outflank his position. With characteristic swiftness, he maneuvered himself to a position of tactical advantage. However, in doing so, he was struck in the head by enemy fire. Even in this critical condition, he refused to yield. Summoning every ounce of strength and determination, he eliminated the fourth terrorist, ensuring his men retained the momentum of the battle.

Not stopping there, Lt Navdeep went on to rescue an injured comrade, dragging him to safety while continuing to engage the enemy. Bleeding profusely and gravely wounded, he kept firing until his body gave way. His indomitable spirit and leadership had a profound impact on his platoon, which continued the assault with unrelenting resolve. By the end of the operation, 12 terrorists were neutralized, and the infiltration bid was completely foiled. However, the victory came at a heavy cost, as Lt Navdeep Singh succumbed to his injuries in the line of duty. He was only 26 years old at the time of his martyrdom. Lt Navdeep’s gallant actions not only saved the lives of his comrades but also prevented a major infiltration that could have caused immense damage to national security. 

Lt Navdeep Singh was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ” Ashok Chakra” for his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice.

The citation for "Ashok Chakra" awarded to him reads  :

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh was Ghatak Platoon Commander of 15 Maratha Light Infantry deployed in the High Altitude Area near the Line of Control.

On receiving information about the infiltration of a group of terrorists at about 0030 hours on 20 August 2011, the officer gauged the likely route of the terrorists and laid an ambush at the appropriate spot. When the terrorists were spotted, the ambush was sprung by the officer himself. An exchange of intense fire ensued. Leading from the front, the officer eliminated three terrorists at close range. On seeing another terrorist approaching their position, with utter disregard for his personal safety, the officer swiftly changed his firing position. While doing so, he got hit by a bullet on his head. He nevertheless managed to eliminate the fourth terrorist. Further, displaying utmost bravery and comradeship, he pulled an injured fellow-soldier to safety and kept firing till he became unconscious due to excessive blood loss.

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh displayed his indomitable spirit, determination, and exceptional bravery while putting down the terrorists and making the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

A heartwarming tribute by a proud Indian citizen to Lt Navdeep Singh AC:

I learnt about your demise from the ticker tape on one of the news channels. It was a big encounter and a very fierce one at that. A feeling of deep sadness enveloped me as I reflected on your youth which had been sacrificed in the Gurez sector in the line of duty.

What does your death mean?

You were too young to die, far too young! For whom and for what did you die then? This question haunted me last night and I will attempt to answer you. You were probably from a village or a small town of India. You were perhaps the son of an army officer or JCO, or from an urban or rural civilian background. You could not be from one of the big cities where iron has entered the soul of our youth and where the only driving motivator is quest for money in the surreal environment of the corporate world

Why did you join the army? Of course to get a job. But then that is over simplifying the question. You were possibly motivated by the traditions in your family and clan, you were probably enthused by the sight of your elder brothers, uncles or other men from your community in uniform, you were perhaps enchanted by the cantonment life where you may have spent your growing years.

On your last journey, you would not have got the adulation from the government that a martyred soldier gets in the US. Your name will not be read out in any obituary reference in Parliament, as is done in the UK for all soldiers who fall in combat in the line of duty. Your name will not be etched on any national memorial because we do not have one!

Symbolically you will become the Unknown Soldier for the nation, for whom the flame burns at India Gate, but your name will not be etched there. The names engraved on that monument are of the soldiers who died fighting for the British Indian Army and not those who have made the supreme sacrifice for Independent India! Can it get more ironic?

But do not despair, Lieutenant. Your comrades will do you proud! The senior-most officer would have led the homage that your brother officers will pay you before you left the Valley of Kashmir one last time. Your unit representatives must have escorted your body home. You would have been carried to the funeral pyre draped in the flag for which you died fighting.

The darkened and tearful eyes of your grief-stricken mother and the stoic figure of your father, benumbed by the enormity of this tragedy, will move even the most cynical. I do not know Lieutenant at what stage of the encounter you fell, mortally wounded. But the fact that you were there on the lonely vigil across the Line of Control in Gurez, is enough to vouch for your valour. Your unit and formation commanders will see to it that you get the gallantry award which you so richly deserve. In due time your father or your mother will be presented the medal and parchment of your gallantry, which will be framed and find pride of place in your home.

Time will dull the bitterness of this tragic parting, which right now is the only feeling that engulfs your parents and siblings in its enormity. Lieutenant you were lucky. You did not live long enough to get married and leave behind a grieving widow. You did not live long enough to have children. For when they would have come of age you would have seen in them a cynicism towards the army for which you died.

You will not see a young son who thinks his father is a hero and wants to follow his footsteps in joining the army only to be harshly dissuaded by his mother (or father) from following a profession which ranks so low for the youth of our country. You were lucky not to serve long enough to see the army getting belittled. You did not live long enough to see the utter indifference and disdain for the army. Like you, a large number of valiant soldiers laid down their lives on the rocky heights of Kargil, fighting against self-imposed odds. Today it is not even felt fit to publicly commemorate the anniversary of that stupendous military victory in a befitting manner, a war won by the blood of young men.

But do not despair Lieutenant. Your name will be etched for posterity in the annals of your Unit and your Regiment. A silver trophy with your name inscribed on it, will grace the centre table of the Unit mess. You will also find your name in the unit Quarter Guard, where annual homage will also be paid to you. The war memorials at the Formation HQ where you served and your Regimental Centre will proudly display your name for eternity.

If you joined the Army through the NDA, your name will be written in the Hut of Remembrance through which each cadet will pass, paying homage before his Passing Out Parade. There will be an obituary reference to you from your comrades in the papers, which will be flipped over by most but which will be read in detail by people who have a connect with those who wear or wore the uniform.

As your parents head into the evening of their life, memories of your valour will be their most precious possession. When ever your mother will think of you her eyes will mist over but there will be more stars in them than you ever wore on your shoulders.

Your father may speak quietly about you but no one will miss the swell of pride in his chest. For your siblings you will always remain the real hero, and for that matter even for your community and village. A school or a road may well be named after you and you will become a part of the local folklore.

You died Lieutenant, because when the test came, you decided that you could not let down your family, your clan and your comrades, who always expected, without ever saying so, to do your duty. You, Lieutenant, have done more than your duty and made your memory their hallowed possession.

Lieutenant you did not die in vain!

A statue has been erected in his honour at the Govt. College Gurdaspur.