Rifleman Makar Singh Negi VrC

Rifleman Makar Singh Negi hailed from the picturesque Chamoli district of Uttar Pradesh (now part of Uttarakhand) and was born on 04 June 1948 into a humble and values-driven family. He was the son of Shri Diwan Singh and Smt Bhaguli Devi, who instilled in him a deep sense of discipline, integrity, and love for the motherland from an early age. Inspired by a strong desire to serve the nation, Rfn Makar Singh Negi chose the path of military service and joined the Indian Army on 04 June 1968, marking his enlistment on his twentieth birthday. He was recruited into the 6th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, one of the most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army, renowned for its rich legacy of bravery, steadfastness, and sacrifice.

As a young soldier, Rifleman Negi embraced the rigours of military life with dedication and commitment, upholding the proud traditions of his regiment. During his service, he built a life rooted in responsibility and devotion, both to his duty and to his family. He later married Ms Mangsiri Devi, who hailed from Uttarakhand, and together they shared the values of resilience and service that define the families of soldiers.

Battle of Nawapind (Indo-Pak War): 05 Dec 1971

During the Indo–Pak War of 1971, Rifleman Makar Singh Negi was serving with his unit, 6 Garhwal Rifles, which was deployed along the western border. Although the war formally began on 03 December 1971, following the pre-emptive air strikes by the Pakistani Air Force on eleven Indian airfields, hostilities along the border had already been simmering for several months. Large-scale atrocities committed by Pakistani forces in East Pakistan had resulted in a massive influx of refugees into India, leading to heightened tensions and frequent border skirmishes. In this volatile environment, 6 Garhwal Rifles had been actively engaged in aggressive patrolling and limited operations even before the outbreak of full-scale war. On the night of 04/05 December 1971, the battalion was operating in the Sialkot sector of Punjab, a strategically sensitive area on the western front. By 04 December, enemy forces had intruded into Indian territory and occupied an Indian post at Nawapind, thereby gaining a tactical advantage. In accordance with the operational plan, it was decided to launch an immediate offensive to recapture the post and deny the enemy any further foothold. The task of assaulting and reclaiming the position was assigned to 6 Garhwal Rifles, with supporting elements including armour, artillery, and mortars.

In the early hours of 05 December 1971, two infantry platoons of 6 Garhwal Rifles, supported by two troops of tanks, artillery fire, and 81 mm mortars, launched a coordinated attack against an enemy company firmly entrenched at Nawapind. Rifleman Makar Singh Negi, serving as the No.1 of a Light Machine Gun (LMG) detachment, was part of the leading assaulting troops. As the attack developed and the troops closed in on their objective, they came under intense and accurate fire from an enemy medium machine gun post, which posed a serious threat to the success of the assault. Displaying exceptional courage and complete disregard for his personal safety, Rifleman Negi charged forward with his LMG towards the enemy machine gun position. With remarkable speed and determination, he assaulted the post at close quarters. During this daring action, he was grievously wounded by bursts of fire from the enemy’s medium machine guns. Despite his serious injuries, he refused to withdraw and continued his attack with unwavering resolve. Exhibiting extraordinary grit and bravery, he succeeded in silencing the enemy’s medium machine gun, which had been inflicting heavy fire on the advancing Indian troops. His fearless action not only neutralised a critical enemy position but also inflicted additional casualties on the adversary.

Rifleman Negi’s selfless bravery proved decisive. With the enemy machine gun post destroyed, the assaulting troops were able to surge forward, overwhelm the remaining resistance, and successfully capture the objective. Having ensured the success of the mission and the safety of his comrades, Rifleman Makar Singh Negi finally succumbed to his wounds, laying down his life in the finest traditions of the Indian Army. He was only 23 years old at the time of his supreme sacrifice. For his raw courage, indomitable spirit, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty, Rifleman Makar Singh Negi was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, the nation’s third-highest gallantry award.

Rifleman Makar Singh Negi is survived by his wife, Smt. Mangsiri Devi. 

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

On 05 Dec 1971, two Infantry platoons of 6 Ghar Rif supported by two troops of tanks, artillery, and 81mm Mortar launched an attack on the enemy company at Nawapind (Sialkot sector). Number 4049455. Rfn Makar Singh Negi was No 1 of Light Machine Gun detachment, as part of the assaulting troops. On reaching the objective, he dashed and charged with his light machine gun with lightning speed into the enemy medium machine gun post with utter disregard to his personal safety. In doing so, he got wounded by a burst from the enemy medium machine guns. Undaunted by his serious wounds. Rfn Makar Singh Negi with his light machine gun succeeded in silencing the enemy medium machine gun, which was accurately showering bullets on our assaulting troops. Apart from silencing medium machine gun post, he inflicted few more casualties on the enemy with his light machine gun untill finally collapsing and succumbing to his wounds. This brave action of his enabled the assaulting troops to charge through the objective and finally enabled the successful capture of the objective.

For his act of conspicuous gallantry, boldness and high sense of devotion to duty in the presence of highly determined enemy during the action in the battle of Nawapind (Sialkot sector), he was awarded Vir Chakra (posthumous).