Naik Brij Mohan Singh VrC

Naik Brij Mohan Singh hailed from Dehradun (then part of Uttaranchal, now Uttarakhand), a region renowned for its rugged terrain and long-standing tradition of producing valiant soldiers. He was the son of Shri Madho Singh and was born on 01 June 1975. Growing up in such an environment, he developed a deep admiration for the Armed Forces from an early age. Inspired by the ideals of courage, discipline, and patriotism, he nurtured a strong desire to don the uniform and serve the nation. Driven by this aspiration, he joined the Indian Army on 27 February 1994 at the young age of 19, soon after completing his schooling. He was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, one of the most prestigious and battle-hardened regiments, known for its elite paratroopers and their role in high-risk and strategically critical operations. From the very outset of his military career, Naik Brij Mohan Singh demonstrated exceptional dedication, discipline, and physical endurance—qualities that marked him as a highly capable and committed soldier. Motivated to push his limits further and take on more challenging responsibilities, he volunteered for the Special Forces, the elite arm of the Parachute Regiment. The selection process for Special Forces is among the most demanding in the military, testing not only physical stamina but also mental resilience and psychological strength.

Displaying remarkable determination, he successfully cleared this rigorous selection and underwent specialized training, following which he was inducted into 9 Para (Special Forces). Raised in 1966, the unit has built a formidable reputation for its expertise in mountain warfare, as well as counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. 

Kargil War (Op Vijay): 01 July 1999

During June–July 1999, in the midst of Operation Vijay, Nk Brij Mohan Singh’s unit, 9 Para (Special Forces), was deployed in the Mashkoh Sub Sector of Kargil in Jammu & Kashmir. During this period, 9 Para (Special Forces) was operating under the command of the 192 Mountain Brigade, led by Brigadier MPS Bajwa. The brigade was part of the 8 Mountain Division, commanded by Major General Mohinder Puri, which in turn functioned under the XV Corps, led by Lieutenant General Kishan Pal. The XV Corps was under the overall operational control of the Northern Command, commanded by Lieutenant General HM Khanna. During the intense operations of the Kargil War, the Mashkoh Sub Sector in Kargil became the setting for some of the most daring missions undertaken by the Indian Army. One such critical task was assigned to the elite 9 PARA (Special Forces)—the capture of a strategically vital feature known as Sando Top, located at an altitude of approximately 5,250 metres. Naik Brij Mohan Singh, serving as the squad commander of the “Charlie” team, was entrusted with leading a 30-member assault group on the night of 30 June–01 July 1999. The mission was of immense tactical importance: not only was the team required to secure Sando Top, but it also had to create conditions for further advance towards the enemy’s main logistics base. The terrain was extremely challenging, consisting of near-vertical, snow-covered slopes, freezing temperatures, and constant exposure to enemy observation and fire. Demonstrating exceptional mountaineering ability and battlefield skills, Naik Brij Mohan Singh led his team in a daring cliff assault under the cover of darkness. Despite the treacherous conditions, the team climbed steadily and, by 0530 hours on 01 July 1999, succeeded in gaining a foothold on a narrow saddle just below the objective. However, their progress soon came under severe threat as the enemy brought down intense and sustained automatic fire, placing the advancing elements in grave danger.

Naik Brij Mohan Singh is survived by his wife, Smt Amra Devi.

The Citation for the Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:-

Naik Brij Mohan Singh was the squad Commander of "Charlie" team 9 PARA (Special Forces) which was asked to capture an objective called "Sando Top" in Mashkoh sub Sector of Kargil in Jammu & Kashmir on the night 30 June-01 July 1999. The 30-member team was tasked to capture 5250-metre-high v objective and progress towards main Pakistani logistic base. Using his excellent mountaineering and battle craft skills, Naik Brij Mohan Singh launched cliff assault on near vertical Sando Top. By 0530 hours on 01 Jul1999 the squad gained a foothold on a saddle close to Sando Top but the following elements were threatened due to enemy's sustained effective fire. Realising the gravity of the situation and displaying outstanding leadership qualities and initiative, Naik Brij Mohan Singh led his squad in a suicidal mission to save his comrades by assaulting the verticals snow covered slopes of Sando Top. In this assault under heavy barrage of enemy automatic fire, Naik Brij Mohan Singh personally led from the front and with total disregard to his personal safety charged the enemy position on top. The enemy was shocked by the ferocity displayed by Naik Brij Mohan Singh who lobbed hand grenades and followed it up by physically charging at them. In the process of clearing the enemy position, he suffered grievous injuries. Unmindful of his grievous injuries and in the highest military tradition Naik Brij Mohan Singh again charged the enemy soldiers and killed two of them in a hand-to-hand combat with his commando knife. The entire operation resulted in the elimination of five enemy soldiers and also saving the lives of his comrades.

During the entire operation, Naik Brij Mohan Singh displayed outstanding leadership, conspicuous gallantry and raw physical courage with total disregard to his personal safety.