Major Bhupender Singh SC

Verinag Operation (J&K) : Jan 1994

In 1994, Major Bhupender Singh was serving with the Border Roads organization in Jammu and Kashmir, where he was the Officer Commanding (OC) of the 99 Road Construction Company, stationed at Verinag near the Jawahar Tunnel. As part of the ongoing "Project Beacon," his unit was assigned the challenging task of constructing five Bailey bridges along the Khannabal-Pahalgam road. To ensure the successful completion of the project, Major Bhupender Singh meticulously planned the operation and decided to conduct a reconnaissance of the bridge sites. In early January 1994, Major Bhupender Singh, accompanied by two officers and 13 soldiers, set out on the recce. Due to the region’s volatile security situation, with active militancy in the area, the recce party was provided armed escorts in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). However, as they approached Akkar village, the party was ambushed by militants who had set up a roadblock. From all directions, the militants launched a sudden and fierce attack, using automatic weapons at very close range.

Displaying immense bravery and leadership, Major Bhupender Singh quickly organized his troops and returned fire, directing them to take defensive positions and fight back effectively. After a prolonged and intense exchange of fire, Major Bhupender Singh and his soldiers successfully broke through the ambush and continued their mission. This incident showcased his exemplary courage and tactical acumen in the face of grave danger. However, on January 17, 1994, Major Bhupender Singh was kidnapped by militants belonging to the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen group. They made demands for the release of certain terrorists, which Major Bhupender Singh firmly refused. Consequently, Maj Bhupender Singh was killed by the kidnappers, in retaliation to the denial of their demands on 23 Jan 1994. Major Bhupender Singh’s sacrifice and unwavering commitment to his duty left an indelible mark on the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra, one of the highest gallantry awards, for his bravery and dedication to the nation. Ironically, the award was presented on March 13, the birthday of his daughter, Nimrat Kaur, marking a poignant tribute to a soldier who laid down his life for the country while upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Major Bhupender Singh is survived by his wife Smt Avinash Kaur and daughters Nimrat Kaur and Rubina Singh.

A Daughter’s Tribute To Her Father:

In an interview to the TOI Maj Bhupender Singh’s elder daughter Nimrat Kaur paying tribute to her father said, “My life changed after my father’s death. It was not a financial threat. But that life that I had lived with those orderlies, those army cars went away overnight. It was difficult moving to civilian life. In the army, you are living in a shell and that’s why my father never sent me to an army school. You are used to three sevadars around you and suddenly, there are no army get-togethers, so to just adjust to the new life without any fauji kids for friends was tough. I was undergoing puberty that time and that compounded my agony. But the army stands by you like a rock. They are your family and even today, they will come at the drop of a hat if you need something and they will do anything for you. I also think it’s to do with my father’s goodwill and his relationship with people. Coincidentally, he got awarded the Shaurya Chakra on my birthday, March 13. (His name is now written as Bhupender Singh SC, SC standing for Shaurya Chakra).

I remember my The Lunchbox premiered in Cannes and I immediately went back to Kashmir in June for the first time after my father’s death. I could sense that my life was going to shift in a big way and I wanted to go back to Kashmir for my closure and I did. I spent 10 days there all alone. I went to Verinag ( there’s a point there dedicated to my father). I came back and got a tattoo done on my wrist which reads, ‘Zenab’, meaning a father’s precious jewel that brings glory to his name”.

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

Maj Bhupender Singh employed as OC 99 Road Constr Coy in Project Beacon, was responsible for the task of constructing five bailey bridges on road Khannabal-Pahalgam of J&K in Pursuance of the decision taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Shri Rajesh pilot, Maj Bhupender Singh accompanied by a party consisting of two officers and 13 Ors including escorts went on the recce of the bridge sites. At village Akkar, the recce party ran into an ambush by ANEs who were lying in wait at a roadblock created by them. the party was fired from all around from a very close range by automatic weapons with an estimated strength of 100 ANEs. Showing great presence of mind, Maj Bhupender Singh deployed his troops without any loss of time and returned the fire. After a prolonged exchange of fire, he successfully broke through the ambush along with his party and proceeded ahead. On 17 Jan 1994, Maj Bhupender Singh was kidnapped by ANEs. He remained in their captivity for a week and was killed by them on 23 Jan 1994.

Maj Bhupender Singh displayed gallantry exemplary cool courage, unflinching devotion to duty, and consuming passion for the safety of his men at the cost of his life. He has set an example for others to emulate.

• On October 25, 2024, a poignant ceremony took place in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, where a war memorial was inaugurated to honour Major Bhupender Singh and 12 other martyrs. The memorial, featuring a bronze bust of Major Bhupender Singh, was unveiled on what would have been his 72nd birthday at a newly designated public square, Major Bhupender Singh Chowk, in central Sri Ganganagar.
• Major Bhupender Singh's daughter, acclaimed actress Nimrat Kaur, attended the ceremony alongside her mother, Smt Avinash Kaur, and sister, Rubina Singh. Nimrat Kaur dedicated the memorial to the memory of the soldiers' bravery, hoping their supreme sacrifice would inspire future generations.