Service No : JC-273366K

Date of Birth : April 5, 1966

Place of birth : Ropar Dist (Punjab)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Naib Subedar

Unit : 217 Med Regt

Arm/Regt : The Regiment of Artillery

Operation : Op Rakshak

Awards : Sena Medal

Martyrdom : August 31, 2011

Nb Sub Gurdial Singh SM

Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh hailed from Swamipur village of Nangal tehsil in Ropar district of Punjab and was born on 05 Apr 1966. Son of Shri Mansha Ram and Smt Krishna Devi, Nb Sub Gurdial Singh was fascinated with army life like many youngsters in Punjab. He nursed a dream of joining the army since his childhood and eventually joined the army after completing his school education on 26 Dec 1984 at the age of 18 years. He was recruited into the 217 Med Regt of the Regiment of Artillery, an important combat support arm of the Indian Army known for its booming field guns. The Regiment of Artillery has various Regiments including Medium Regiments, Light Regiments, Missile Regiments, Rocket Regiments, and SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Regiments with every Regiment having its equipment during wartime. 
 
After completing his training he joined a field unit and soon developed the professional skills of a gunner. After serving for a few years he got married to Ms Trishla Devi and the couple was blessed with two sons Vikram Singh and Ashwani Kumar. While serving, he got posted to various operational areas and took part in several significantly important operations that included 'Op Trident' (April 1986 to May 1987), 'Op Rakshak' (Dec 1991 to June 1993), and 'Op Rhino' (April 2005 to Apr 2007). As the years rolled by, he received many medals for his service including 9 years Long Service Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, 20 years Long Service Medal, Special Service Medal, J&K Sainya Seva Medal, and Uchch Tungata Medal. By the year 2011, he had put in over 26 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Naib Subedar. 
 

Kupwara Operation (Operation Rakshak): 30/31 Aug 2011

 

During 2011, Nb Sub Gurdial Singh’s unit 217 Med Regt was deployed in Kupwara district of J & K as part of the ongoing “Operation Rakshak”. Besides manning the forward posts, the unit was also engaged in operations against the militants on a regular basis and the soldiers were always in a state of high alert. Based on specific intelligence inputs the unit planned a search and cordon operation in the night of 30/31 Aug 2011 to nab the hardcore terrorists hiding in a place falling in the unit's AOR( Area of Operation). Nb Sub Gurdial Singh was part of a team that was assigned the task of the operation. Nb Sub Gurdial Singh along with his comrades swung into action and reached the suspected area in Kupwara district as per the plan.

 

The team immediately cordoned off the area and surrounded the suspected place in a village in Kralpora tehsil of Kupwara district. On being challenged the terrorists started firing at the troops and a fierce gun battle ensued thereafter. Nb Sub Gurdial Singh was at the forefront during the operation and was engaged in the gun battle with the terrorists. Nb Sub Gurdial Singh and his comrades showing commendable courage and gallantry eliminated four terrorists. However, during the exchange of fire, Nb Sub Gurdial Singh got hit by bullets and was grievously wounded. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Nb Sub Gurdial Singh was a brave and committed Junior Commissioned Officer who at the age of 45 years laid down his life in the service of the nation. He was awarded the "Sena Medal" posthumously for his commendable gallantry, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. 

 

Nb Sub Gurdial Singh is survived by his wife Smt Trishla Devi and two sons Shri Vikram Singh and Shri Ashwani Kumar.

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1 Comment
  • Ashwani Kumar

    2024 at 9:32 am Reply

    I am son of Shaheed Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh SM. He had Sacrificed his life while fighting with 7to 8 terrorist in kupwara area Jammu and Kashmir on 30 aug 2011 at operation RAKSHAK. In this Army Operation 4 terrorist were killed by Shaheed Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh SM.

    ‘SENA MEDAL’ Presented to Mrs. Trishla Devi W/O Shaheed Naib Gurdial Singh on 2013.

    Shaheed Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh (SM), 217 Field Regiment, Artillery,
    4 VIKAS , Special Group, Raw.

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