Service No : 2886601A

Place of birth : Muzaffarnagar, (UP)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Rifleman

Unit : 2 Raj Rif

Arm/Regt : The Rajputana Rifles

Operation : Op Vijay ( Kargil )

Martyrdom : June 13, 1999

Rifleman Bachan Singh

Rifleman Bachan Singh Ruhela hailed from Pachera Kalan village in Muzaffarnagar tehsil of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh. Son of Shri Mahavir Singh Ruhela and Smt Roshni Devi, Rfn Bachan Singh got selected for the Indian Army after completing his initial education in the year 1988. He was recruited into 2 Raj Rif battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Kamesh Bala and the couple was blessed with twin sons Hitesh and Hemant on 23 October 1994. By 1999, he had served for about 10 years with his unit in various operational areas with challenging working conditions.

 

Battle of Tololing (Kargil War): June 1999

 

Shortly after the signing of the Lahore declaration in 1999, the Pakistan Army surreptitiously occupied the winter vacated posts of the Indian Army. On 03 May 1999, these intrusions were detected and on 26 May 1999, the first air-to-ground strike was launched by the Indian Airforce (IAF), followed by Operation Vijay, by the Indian Army to evict the intruders from the Indian areas. The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. Rfn Bachan Singh's 2 Raj Rif battalion, under the command of Lt Col MB Ravindranath, which was part of 81 Mountain Brigade in the Lolab valley was inducted into the Drass area on 04 June 1999. The battalion was functioning under the command of 56 Mtn Bde, with overall operational control being exercised by 8 Mtn Div under Maj Gen Mohinder Puri. The Tololing Heights was the deepest penetration beyond the LC by the Pakistani intruders. Tololing and another feature named Point 4590 were among the vital peaks for India, as they overlooked the Drass sector and a large section of the National Highway.  The task of capturing the Tololing feature was assigned to 56 Mtn Bde. The Tololing feature comprised Pt 4590, Tololing Top, South East Spur, South Spur, and Hump to its north. Pt 4590 and Tololing Top dominated all the approaches leading to it. As per the plan of attack of 56 Mtn Bde, 2 Raj Rif was tasked to capture the Tololing top by 0600 Hr on 13 June 1999. 18 Garh Rif battalion was to capture Pt 5140 by 0700 hrs on 13 June. Two companies of 18 Grenadiers were to provide a firm base and the balance of the battalion was to act as reserve to 2 Raj Rif.  

 

When the battalion launched the attack on 12 June 1999 at 2030 hrs, Rfn Bachan Singh was part of the "Charlie Company" team led by Major Vivek Gupta. Despite heavy artillery and automatic fire, Rfn Bachan Singh and his comrades were able to close in with the enemy. The Company came under heavy fire from all sides as soon as they emerged into the open. After three soldiers of the Company's leading section were hit, the attack was temporarily stalled. Knowing that staying in the open, amidst intense enemy fire would result in further casualties, the troops led by Major Gupta charged onto the hostile position. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Rfn Bachan Singh got severely injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Besides Rfn Bachan Singh, one officer, two JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers), and five other soldiers of 2 Raj Rif were martyred during the operation. The other martyred brave hearts included their leader Major Vivek Gupta, Sub Bhanwar Lal, Sub Sumer Singh Rathore, CHM Yashvir Singh Tomar, Hav Sultan Singh Narwaria, Nk Surendra Singh, Nk Chaman Singh, and Rfn Jasvir Singh. 

 

Rifleman Bachan Singh Ruhela is survived by his wife Smt Kamesh Bala and twin sons Hitesh Kumar & Hemant Kumar. Following the legacy of Rifleman Bachan Singh, his son Hitesh Kumar joined the Army and was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the same battalion (2 Raj Rif) on 09 June 2018. 

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8 Comments
  • Harsh duliyan

    2024 at 9:57 am Reply

    मुझे गर्व है मैं लांस नायक बचन सिंह की जन्म स्थली पचेंदा कलां से हूं आपके गौरवपूर्ण इतिहास से मैं भी गौरवान्वित महसूस करता हूं

  • Dhananjay Mani Tripathi

    2024 at 9:58 am Reply

    We pay richest tributes this real son of Maa-Bharati, Shri Bachan Singh. Proud of you and even more proud to continue your legacy.
    Jai Hind…

  • Siddhant Singh

    2024 at 10:02 am Reply

    In reply to Sudhir Chandra kaimur bhabua.
    Did kamlesh maam was a teacher in Lucknow?

  • Nikhil Kumar Malik

    2024 at 10:10 am Reply

    We never forgot your sacrifice for our country- salute to Mrs kamesh Bala who send his son in Indian army Lt hitesh

  • Sudhir Chandra kaimur bhabua

    2024 at 10:18 am Reply

    Aise veer sapoot ko Dil se naman desh aapko ko hamesa Yaad karega

  • Ashok Kumar Gupta

    2024 at 10:19 am Reply

    We salute our brave and courageous soldiers who lay down their lives for the defense of us and our motherland. Shat shat Naman.

  • Pradeep kumar

    2024 at 10:20 am Reply

    I salute to the great warrior who made supreme sacrifice so that we can live peacefull life .salute to his family who gave another brave son to serve motherland.

  • Vinod Nair

    2024 at 10:20 am Reply

    Salute & Pranam, we live today because these true heros.

    Jai Hind

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