Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas

Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas hailed from Kamila village in the Utterbehni area of Samba district, Jammu & Kashmir—a region known for its resilient spirit and patriotic fervor. Born into a humble yet proud family, he was the son of Shri Chagatar Singh, a retired Sub-Inspector of Police. He grew up alongside his two sisters and a younger brother in an environment that emphasized discipline, perseverance, and integrity. From an early age, Nk Mukesh exhibited qualities of determination and an unwavering sense of duty—values that would later define his journey in the Indian Army. He completed his schooling in his village, where he developed a deep admiration for the Armed Forces. Inspired by the bravery and selflessness of soldiers, he nurtured a strong desire to don the uniform and serve the nation.

With unwavering resolve, Nk Mukesh worked tirelessly to turn his aspiration into reality. Excelling academically, particularly in the sciences, he understood the importance of a strong educational foundation in pursuing his dream. His relentless dedication and perseverance bore fruit when he was recruited into the Indian Army at a young age. Assigned to the 9 Punjab Battalion of the Punjab Regiment—one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army.

IED Blast-Akhnoor sector (J&K): 11 Feb 2025

During  2025, Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas was serving with the 9 Punjab Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, deployed in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu & Kashmir. This region, strategically significant due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), frequently witnessed ceasefire violations, infiltration attempts, and cross-border hostilities. Pakistani forces, often assisted by the Border Action Team (BAT), actively engaged in such provocations, heightening the threat to Indian troops stationed along the LoC. As a dedicated soldier, Naik Mukesh and his comrades carried out continuous "reconnaissance and surveillance" missions to thwart enemy movements and ensure the security of India’s borders. The soldiers of 9 Punjab remained on high alert, often patrolling treacherous terrain where militants attempted to infiltrate under the cover of artillery shelling and adverse weather conditions.

On February 11, 2025, intelligence inputs suggested possible terrorist movement near Laleali in the Akhnoor sector. Given the sensitive nature of the situation, a "Reconnaissance and Surveillance" team from 9 Punjab was immediately dispatched to assess and secure the area. Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas, known for his bravery and unwavering sense of duty, was a crucial part of this team. At approximately 3:50 PM, while patrolling along the barbed wire fence marking the LoC, the patrol unit was struck by a powerful explosion—a hidden Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by enemy elements had been triggered. The sudden and devastating blast severely injured Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi, Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas and one more soldier, leaving the team in an extremely vulnerable position. 

However, the impact of the explosion had already claimed the lives of Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas and his officer, Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi, while another soldier sustained life-threatening injuries. The nation had lost yet another brave heart who laid down his life in the line of duty, defending the sovereignty and security of India. What made his sacrifice even more heart-wrenching was the fact that Naik Mukesh was on the verge of starting a new chapter in his life. His wedding was scheduled for April 8, 2025, with all the traditional marriage rituals planned. His untimely demise left his family, fiancée, and loved ones in profound grief, their dreams and celebrations overshadowed by an irreplaceable loss. As the unit tried to regroup and assess the situation, enemy forces launched further attacks, escalating the confrontation. The Indian soldiers, despite their injuries, fought back with determination and valour. Additional security forces were quickly deployed to the site, launching a cordon-and-search operation to track down the infiltrators.

Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas  is survived by his father, Shri Chagatar Singh, his mother, two sisters, and one younger brother, who is also serving in the Indian Army.