Major Surinder Singh VrC

Major Surinder Singh was born on 8 December 1959 in Shillong, Meghalaya, into a distinguished military family that instilled in him the values of discipline, patriotism, and service to the nation from an early age. He was the son of Lt Colonel M.S. Labana, a respected Army officer whose dedication and commitment to duty left a lasting impression on Maj Surinder Singh. Inspired by his father's exemplary military career, he nurtured a strong desire to serve the nation in uniform and devoted himself to achieving that goal. Determined to follow in his father's footsteps, Maj Surinder Singh successfully secured admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, one of the country's premier institutions for training future military leaders. His years at the NDA helped shape his leadership qualities, physical endurance, and professional competence, preparing him for the demanding responsibilities of military service.

After completing his training, he was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army. Renowned for its rich traditions, exceptional courage, and distinguished battle honours, the regiment provided the perfect platform for the young officer to demonstrate his leadership and commitment to duty. Throughout his service, Major Surinder Singh embodied the finest traditions of the Indian Army and the Rajputana Rifles, earning the respect and admiration of both his superiors and fellow soldiers through his professionalism, dedication, and unwavering devotion to the nation.

Op Pawan : 05 June 1989

During 1989, Major Surinder Singh's unit was deployed in the Puttur area of the Jaffna Peninsula as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka. The IPKF had been inducted into Sri Lanka in August 1987 under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed on 29 July 1987, with the objective of overseeing the disarmament of militant groups and restoring peace in the region. However, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was expected to surrender its weapons under the agreement, reneged on its commitments and launched a violent insurgency against the Indian forces. What began as a limited deployment soon escalated into a full-scale military campaign, leading to the induction of additional formations, including the 3rd, 4th, and 57th Infantry Divisions, alongside the initially deployed 54 Infantry Division. By mid-1989, despite numerous successful operations against the LTTE, the conflict remained intense, particularly in the Jaffna Peninsula, which continued to be a major stronghold of militant activity. While operating in the Puttur area, Major Surinder Singh's unit was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations aimed at dismantling LTTE networks and eliminating militant hideouts. On 5 June 1989, acting on credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of LTTE militants in a hideout near Puttur, an operation was planned to neutralize the threat. Major Surinder Singh was entrusted with leading the assault, a responsibility that reflected the confidence his superiors had in his courage, leadership, and operational expertise.

Leading from the front, Major Surinder Singh and his troops swiftly moved to the target area and established a tight cordon around the suspected hideout. As the search and assault commenced, he personally led a team of fifteen soldiers towards the objective. Demonstrating exceptional tactical acumen and fearlessness, he soon located the militants and engaged them in a fierce firefight, successfully eliminating two of them. The aggressive assault created panic among the remaining militants, causing two of them to attempt an escape from the cordoned area. Determined not to allow the militants to evade capture, Major Surinder Singh immediately ordered a pursuit and personally led the chase. During the pursuit, one of the wounded militants, lying concealed nearby, suddenly opened fire from close range and grievously wounded him. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Major Surinder Singh displayed extraordinary courage and presence of mind. Ignoring his own condition, he turned towards the attacker and shot him dead before continuing to direct the pursuit of the fleeing militants. Even as his injuries worsened, he refused medical attention and instead urged his soldiers to press on with the operation. Inspired by the courage and determination of their commander, the troops continued the assault and successfully neutralized another militant. Having ensured the success of the mission and the safety of his men, Major Surinder Singh finally collapsed. He later succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Major Surinder Singh's actions that day epitomized the highest traditions of the Indian Army. His exceptional bravery, inspirational leadership, professional competence, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger stand as a lasting testament to his character. He laid down his life while leading from the front, leaving behind a legacy of courage and selfless service that continues to inspire generations of soldiers Major Surinder Singh was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra”, for his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit and supreme sacrifice during the operation.