Nb Sub Mandeep Singh SM

Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh hailed from Seel village in the Patiala district of Punjab, a region known for its strong martial traditions and deep sense of patriotism. From an early age, he displayed discipline and a desire to serve the nation. After completing his schooling, he fulfilled this aspiration by joining the Indian Army in December 1997, at the young age of 17 years. He was recruited into the 3 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, one of the most vital combat support arms of the Indian Army. The Regiment of Artillery plays a decisive role on the battlefield by providing sustained and accurate firepower in support of infantry and armoured formations. As a young soldier, Mandeep Singh quickly adapted to the demanding standards of artillery service, mastering technical skills while upholding the highest traditions of military discipline and professionalism.

During the course of his service, he built a stable and devoted family life. He married Ms Gurdeep Kaur, and the couple was blessed with two children—a daughter, Mehakpreet, and a son, Jobanpreet Singh. Despite the frequent separations and hardships inherent in military life, he remained a caring husband and a devoted father, balancing family responsibilities with his duties to the nation. By the year 2020, he had completed more than two decades of distinguished service and had risen through the ranks to attain the position of Naib Subedar. Over a career spanning more than 22 years, he served in a variety of operational and field areas, often under challenging and demanding conditions.

Operation Snow Leopard (Battle of Galwan): 15 June 2020

During 2020, Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh’s unit 3 Med Regt was deployed in Eastern Ladakh at a time when the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was steadily deteriorating. Beginning in April, Indian forces observed a gradual but unmistakable buildup of Chinese troops, military equipment, and supporting infrastructure across the eastern sector of the LAC. By early May, Chinese forces began obstructing India’s long-established patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, triggering a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgression attempts were also reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each of these intrusions was promptly detected and firmly countered by Indian troops. Through sustained diplomatic and military engagement, India conveyed in unequivocal terms that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC would not be accepted. As tensions continued to escalate, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed upon a process of disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to refrain from any activity that could disturb the prevailing situation on the ground. However, in a blatant violation of this understanding, Chinese troops instigated a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.  Amid this period of extreme operational tension, Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh was deployed in the forbidding heights of the Galwan Valley as part of Operation Snow Leopard. On the night of 15 June 2020, an unprecedented and brutal face-off erupted between Indian and Chinese troops. The clash rapidly escalated into savage hand-to-hand combat involving stone-pelting and the use of improvised weapons, fought in treacherous terrain under freezing conditions at high altitude.

Considering the gravity of the situation, Col Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Battalion deployed in the area, decided to lead the negotiations on the ground. During the discussions, an altercation broke out, sharply raising tempers and resulting in a scuffle. This soon escalated into a violent clash, with Chinese soldiers launching a coordinated attack using deadly clubs and rods. The Indian soldiers were heavily outnumbered, and it became evident that the opposing side had come prepared for a confrontation. As the fighting intensified, Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh and other soldiers from 3 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery moved forward to reinforce their beleaguered comrades and confront the attacking Chinese troops. The clashes continued for several hours, during which many Indian soldiers sustained grievous injuries. Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh, along with Col Santosh Babu and 18 other brave soldiers, later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. The other gallant soldiers who laid down their lives included Nb Sub Nanduram Soren, Nb Sub Satnam Singh, Hav Bipul Roy, Hav Sunil Kumar, Hav K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sep Ganesh Hansda, Sep Chandan Kumar, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep Ganesh Ram, Sep K.K. Ojha, Sep Jay Kishor Singh, Sep Gurtej Singh, Sep Ankush, and Sep Gurbinder Singh. Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh was a valiant and dedicated soldier who laid down his life in the line of duty, exemplifying courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the nation. In recognition of his exceptional bravery, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the gallantry decoration “Sena Medal” on 26 January 2021.

Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh is survived by his mother Smt Shakuntala Devi, wife Smt Gurdeep Kaur, daughter Ms Mehakpreet Kaur and son Shri Jobanpreet Singh.