Rifleman Narayan Singh SC

Rifleman Narayan Singh was born into a humble and patriotic family in Silapata village is located in Gairsain tehsil of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. From an early age, he was deeply influenced by the values of discipline, integrity, and service to the nation, which were instilled in him by his family. Inspired by the bravery of soldiers in his community and motivated by his desire to protect the nation's integrity, he decided to join the Indian Army. Upon completing his schooling, Rifleman Narayan Singh pursued his ambition and was successfully recruited into the 31 Assam Rifles Battalion of Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force with a rich history of valour and dedication to maintaining peace and security in India.

The Assam Rifles, being the oldest paramilitary force in the country, holds a significant role in counter-insurgency operations and border security, especially in the northeastern regions. Rifleman Narayan Singh embraced the challenging training and demanding lifestyle of his battalion with unwavering dedication. 

Manipur Operation: 28 July 1994

During 1994, Rifleman Narayan Singh's unit, 31 Assam Rifles, was deployed in Manipur. Rifleman Narayan Singh was a courageous soldier who served with exemplary dedication during 'Operation Blue Hill'. He was part of a raid group assigned to attack a well-fortified training camp operated by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac/Muivah) (NSCN) located at Thembram Village in Manipur. The operation, conducted on 28 July 1994, was a challenging and high-risk mission owing to the enemy's fortified position and superior vantage point. As the raid group advanced towards the camp, the leading elements found themselves pinned down under intense automatic and grenade fire from NSCN militants entrenched in a heavily fortified bunker. The bunker provided the militants with a strategic advantage, severely impeding the assault's progress and endangering the success of the mission.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Rifleman Narayan Singh displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness. With complete disregard for his safety, he charged directly at the enemy bunker while maintaining continuous fire into its port holes. His relentless assault drew heavy retaliation from the entrenched militants. Despite facing intense fire, he persisted in his attack until a grenade blast inflicted severe injuries upon him. Rifleman Narayan Singh succumbed to his injuries on 01 August 1994. His gallant and self-sacrificing act played a pivotal role in the final clearance of the bunker. The successful execution of the raid resulted in the elimination of nine NSCN militants, the recovery of 22 sophisticated weapons, and a significant cache of ammunition. Rifleman Narayan Singh's actions not only ensured the success of the mission but also embodied the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Rifleman Narayan Singh was posthumously awarded the gallantry award, "Shaurya Chakra." 

Rfn Narayan Singh is survived by his mother, Smt Sabuli Devi.

The citation for the "Shaurya Chakra" awarded to him reads:

During 'OP Blue Hill' Rifleman Narayan Singh was forming part of the raid group of a raid on a well fortified National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac/Nuivah) (NSCN) training camp at Thembram Village in Manipur. On 28 July 1994 the leading elements of the raid group were still pinned down under heavy automatic and grenade fire from the undergrounds, who were holding a well fortified bunker giving them strategically vantage position. At this juncture Rifleman Narayan Singh showing exem- plary courage and total disregard to his personal safely charged at the bunker, all the while firing into the port holes till such time a grenade blast mortally wounded him, and later he succumbed his injuries on 01 Aug 1994. This exemplary action paved the way for the final clearance of the bunker and successful execution of the raid in which nine NSCN (Isaac/Muivah) undergrounds were killed, twenty two sophisticated weapons alongwith a large quantity of ammunition recovered.

Rifleman Narayan Singh, thus, displayed rare courage, devotion to duty and spirit of self sacrifice.