Service No : JC-468659P

Date of Birth : October 2, 1958

Place of birth : Nagaur Dist (Raj)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Naib Subedar

Unit : 11 Raj Rif

Arm/Regt : The Rajputana Rifles

Operation : Op Vijay ( Kargil )

Awards : Vir Chakra

Martyrdom : June 6, 1999

Nb Sub Mangej Singh VrC

Naib Subedar Mangej Singh hailed from Harnawa village in Parbatsar tehsil of Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Born on 2 August 1958, he was the son of Shri Guman Singh and Smt Mohan Kanwar and was the youngest among three brothers. Raised in a rural environment that valued hard work, discipline, and patriotism, he imbibed these qualities from an early age. His determination, sense of responsibility, and desire to serve the nation inspired him to choose a career in the armed forces. After completing his schooling, he joined the Indian Army and was recruited into the 11th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army, renowned for its distinguished combat record, rich traditions, and numerous battle honours. Following the successful completion of his rigorous military training, he was inducted into active service and began a career marked by dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty. Over the years, Nb Sub Mangej Singh served in a variety of operational and field areas across the country. Through his hard work, courage, and leadership abilities, he earned the respect of both his superiors and fellow soldiers. His extensive experience in challenging environments helped him develop into a skilled and dependable soldier, capable of handling diverse operational responsibilities with confidence and efficiency.

 

After a few years of service, he married Ms. Santosh. The couple was blessed with three sons—Vikram Singh, Girwar Singh, and Jitendra Singh. Despite the demands of military life, he remained a devoted family man who balanced his professional responsibilities with his duties towards his loved ones. By 1999, Nb Sub Mangej Singh had rendered nearly two decades of distinguished service to the nation. His exemplary performance and dedication had earned him promotion to the rank of Naib Subedar, a Junior Commissioned Officer rank carrying significant leadership responsibilities. By then, he had evolved into a seasoned and dependable leader, known for his operational competence, sound judgment, and ability to motivate and guide his troops under challenging circumstances. His long years of service had made him an invaluable asset to his battalion and a respected figure among the men he commanded.

 
Op Thunderbolt: 06 June 1999
 

During 1999, Naib Subedar Mangej Singh was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles (11 Raj Rif), which was deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Kargil conflict had just begun, and the Indian Army was in the process of assessing the scale and extent of enemy intrusions across the high-altitude frontier. Information about enemy dispositions was limited, making reconnaissance and capture of key tactical features crucial for the success of future operations. As part of these efforts, a company of 11 Raj Rif was tasked to participate in Operation Thunderbolt in the Turtuk sector. The operation involved securing a strategically important position located at an altitude of nearly 18,000 feet. Capturing this feature would enable Indian troops to closely monitor enemy movements and gain a significant tactical advantage during the critical early phase of the Kargil War. Naib Subedar Mangej Singh was among a four-member patrol led by Captain Haneef Uddin that was assigned this challenging mission. Displaying exceptional determination and endurance, the patrol advanced through the rugged and inhospitable mountainous terrain on the nights of 4 and 5 June 1999. Despite extreme weather conditions, rarefied air, and difficult gradients, the team successfully captured several nearby positions and continued its advance towards the final objective. On 6 June 1999, the patrol moved to secure the designated feature at an altitude of approximately 18,500 feet. However, as they neared the target, their movement was detected by the enemy, who immediately brought heavy and accurate fire onto the advancing troops. A fierce firefight ensued against a well-entrenched enemy equipped with automatic weapons and supported by heavy firepower.

 

When the patrol was barely fifty metres short of its objective, the enemy intensified its automatic fire in an attempt to halt the advance. Realising the gravity of the situation, Nb Sub Mangej Singh took personal charge of the Medium Machine Gun (MMG) and began engaging the enemy from an exposed position. Operating in open terrain without the protection of cover, he laid down sustained and effective fire, preventing the enemy from overwhelming the patrol. During the intense exchange of fire, Nb Sub Mangej Singh sustained severe gunshot wounds to his chest. Despite being critically injured, he refused to abandon his position. Displaying extraordinary courage and complete disregard for his own safety, he continued firing at the enemy, providing vital covering fire that enabled the remaining members of the patrol to extricate themselves from the enemy's killing zone. His fearless actions significantly contributed to saving the lives of his comrades and maintaining pressure on the enemy despite overwhelming odds. Eventually, the grievous wounds proved fatal, and Naib Subedar Mangej Singh attained martyrdom in the line of duty. The operation also claimed the lives of Rifleman Parvesh Kumar and the patrol commander, Captain Haneef Uddin, who fought with equal courage and determination. Through his steadfast devotion to duty, exceptional bravery, and selfless sacrifice in the face of grave danger, Nb Sub Mangej Singh upheld the finest traditions of the Indian Army and the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War, Naib Subedar Mangej Singh was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India's highest wartime gallantry awards. His courage and dedication continue to inspire generations of soldiers and serve as a shining example of selfless service to the nation.

 

Nb Sub Mangej Singh is survived by his wife Smt Santhosh Kanwar and sons Shri Vikram Singh, Shri Girwar Singh & Shri Jitendra Singh.

  • If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
    click here
No Comments

Post a Comment