Naik Bijendra Singh hailed from the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, a region known for its long-standing tradition of military service and patriotism. Growing up in this environment, he developed a deep sense of pride in the Armed Forces and nurtured a strong desire to serve the nation from an early age. Inspired by the values of discipline, courage, and duty, he remained focused on his goal of joining the Indian Army. Through determination and hard work, he eventually realized his dream and was recruited into the 10 Garhwal Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment — a distinguished infantry regiment renowned for its history of bravery, professionalism, and gallant soldiers. Upon joining the Army, he underwent rigorous training that shaped him into a disciplined and capable soldier, fully prepared to meet the operational challenges of military life.
After serving for some time and settling into his role in the battalion, Naik Bijendra Singh entered married life. He was married to Ms Basuri Devi, who also hailed from Uttarakhand. With the support of his family and his regiment, he continued to serve with commitment and dedication, upholding the proud martial traditions of his region and unit.
Operation Vijay (Kargil War): 13 May 1999
Naik Bijendra Singh’s unit, 10 Garhwal Rifles Battalion, was deployed in the Drass sector of Jammu & Kashmir during the critical period leading up to the Kargil conflict in 1999. The battalion was responsible for manning forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC), an area known for its harsh terrain, extreme weather, and frequent hostile activity. The LoC in this sector remained highly volatile, with ceasefire violations occurring often and without warning. Operationally, the battalion functioned under 121 Infantry Brigade, with overall operational control exercised by 8 Mountain Division, commanded at the time by Maj Gen Mohinder Puri. In the aftermath of the Lahore Declaration of 1999, while diplomatic efforts for peace were underway, the Pakistan Army secretly occupied several winter-vacated Indian Army posts along the LoC. These intrusions were detected on 03 May 1999, triggering a swift and determined military response from Indian forces. As the situation escalated, units deployed in forward areas intensified surveillance and patrolling activities.
The Drass sector belt was particularly sensitive due to its vulnerability to infiltration. Indian Army units in the region began conducting aggressive and frequent patrols within their Areas of Responsibility (AOR) to detect enemy presence and prevent further incursions. Troops were regularly tasked with reconnaissance missions to verify ground conditions, monitor movement, and assess whether snow clearance allowed reoccupation of seasonal forward posts. On 13 May 1999, Naik Bijendra Singh was part of one such patrol in the Drass sector. The patrol’s mission was to check for signs of enemy intrusion and to confirm whether the snow had receded sufficiently for Indian troops to reoccupy their summer positions. While carrying out this task in difficult mountainous terrain, the patrol party came under sudden and heavy fire from infiltrating enemy soldiers already entrenched in the area. Caught in an unexpected engagement, Naik Bijendra Singh and his comrades reacted immediately and took tactical positions to return fire and counter the attack. A fierce gun battle followed. During the intense exchange of fire, Naik Bijendra Singh, along with Naik Subab Singh, Naik Dharam Singh and Rfn Dilwar Singh, sustained serious gunshot wounds. Despite their brave resistance and determination to hold ground, they later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. Naik Bijendra Singh displayed exemplary courage, steadfastness, and devotion to duty under fire. His sacrifice reflects the highest traditions of the Indian Army and the Garhwal Rifles Regiment.
Naik Bijendra Singh is survived by his wife, Smt. Basuri Devi and son Shri Ankit Chauhan.
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