Sepoy Gurtej Singh VrC

Sepoy Gurtej Singh hailed from Birewala Dogran village in Budladha Tehsil of Mansa district, Punjab. Born on 15 November 1997, he was the son of Shri Virsa Singh and Smt Prakash Kaur, and the youngest among three siblings. From an early age, he displayed a deep sense of discipline and patriotism, with a clear aspiration to serve the nation by joining the Armed Forces. This childhood resolve shaped his formative years and guided his choices as he grew into adulthood. After completing his school education, Sepoy Gurtej Singh fulfilled his long-cherished dream by joining the Indian Army in 2018 at the young age of 20 years. He was recruited into the 3 Punjab Battalion of Punjab Regiment, one of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army, renowned for its intrepid soldiers and a legacy marked by numerous battles and theatre honours. His induction into the 3rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment was a moment of immense pride for his family and village alike.

After successfully completing his rigorous military training at the Punjab Regiment Centre, Sepoy Gurtej Singh was posted to his parent unit, 3 Punjab, on 14 October 2019. At the time of his posting, the battalion was deployed in the unforgiving terrain of the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, where only the toughest and most resilient soldiers are entrusted with operational responsibilities. During his tenure on the Northern Glacier, Sepoy Gurtej Singh served at critical high-altitude locations, including Malaun Post and the Bila Complex, situated at an altitude of approximately 18,018 feet. Operating in extreme sub-zero temperatures, thin air, and treacherous terrain, he carried out his duties with dedication, endurance, and quiet determination. His successful completion of the Siachen tenure reflected not only his physical toughness but also his mental fortitude and commitment to duty, qualities that defined him as a soldier of the highest order.

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

During 2020, Sepoy Gurtej Singh’s unit was deployed in the Galwan sector of Eastern Ladakh, which had become the focal point of rapidly escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). From April onwards, Indian forces observed a steady and coordinated buildup of enemy troops, weapons, and infrastructure in the region. By early May, repeated attempts were made by the adversary to obstruct India’s long-established patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, triggering a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgressions were also reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each provocation was firmly countered by Indian troops, and through sustained diplomatic and military engagement, India conveyed in unequivocal terms that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo would not be accepted. Amid rising tensions, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed upon a process of mutual disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and avoid any activity that could disturb the prevailing situation. However, in blatant violation of this understanding, the Chinese side instigated a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.

Against this volatile backdrop, Sepoy Gurtej Singh of 3 Punjab, a young infantry soldier barely 23 years of age, was entrusted with a critical operational responsibility. On the night of 15 June 2020, he was assigned as a scout for his patrol, tasked with establishing an observation post and maintaining a vigilant watch over enemy movements. While performing this duty with exceptional alertness, he detected a suspicious buildup of enemy troops preparing for a confrontation and promptly alerted his comrades, providing a crucial early warning. What began as a tense face-off soon escalated into a brutal and premeditated attack. Armed with improvised lethal weapons and enjoying a clear numerical advantage, enemy soldiers launched a fierce assault on Indian troops. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Indian soldiers stood their ground with courage and resolve. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Battalion, personally led a team to ensure compliance with the disengagement agreement. During the discussions, tempers flared, and the confrontation rapidly degenerated into a violent clash, with Chinese troops attacking Indian soldiers using clubs and rods. As the fighting intensified, Sepoy Gurtej Singh and other soldiers from 3 Punjab rushed to reinforce the embattled Indian troops. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat that lasted several hours under treacherous terrain and darkness, Sepoy Gurtej Singh displayed extraordinary bravery and selflessness. During the clash, he sustained grievous injuries, yet refused to withdraw. Even while severely wounded, he continued to engage the enemy at close quarters and repeatedly moved into danger to evacuate injured comrades, saving several lives through his fearless actions.

Fighting valiantly till his last breath, Sepoy Gurtej Singh ultimately succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Along with him, Col Santosh Babu and 18 other brave soldiers laid down their lives in defence of the nation. The fallen heroes included Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh, Naib Subedar Nanduram Soren, Naib Subedar Satnam Singh, Hav Bipul Roy, Hav Sunil Kumar, Hav K Palani, Naik Deepak Kumar, Sep Ganesh Hansda, Sep Ganesh Ram, Sep Chandan Kumar, Sep C.K. Pradhan, Sep Gurbinder Singh, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep K.K. Ojha, Sep Jai Kishore Singh, and Sep Ankush. In recognition of his conspicuous bravery, exceptional gallantry, and supreme sacrifice, Sepoy Gurtej Singh was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra" on 26 January 2021, one of India’s highest wartime gallantry decorations. His conduct in the face of overwhelming odds exemplified the finest traditions of the Indian Army, placing duty, honour, and comradeship above his own life.

Sepoy Gurtej Singh is survived by his father, Shri Virsa Singh, and mother, Smt Prakash Kaur.

The citation for the ‘Vir Chakra’ awarded to him reads:

Sepoy Gurtej Singh, son of Shri Virsa Singh and Smt Prakash Kaur, was a resident of Village Birewala Dogran, District Mansa, Punjab. He served with 3 PUNJAB of the Indian Armyand was deployed in the Galwan Valley area of eastern Ladakh, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

On 15 June 2020, while performing the duties of a scout for his operational patrol, Sepoy Gurtej Singh was tasked with establishing an observation post. During this task, he detected a build-up of enemy troops preparing to confront Indian soldiers. Soon after, a faceoff between both sides escalated into a violent skirmish. The enemy, armed with lethal weapons and vastly outnumbering the Indian contingent, launched a fierce assault in an attempt to push them back. Amidst the intense confrontation, Sepoy Gurtej Singh sustained serious injuries. Despite being gravely wounded, he continued to fight with indomitable courage and extraordinary determination. With complete disregard for his own safety, he engaged the enemy in close combat and simultaneously worked to evacuate his injured comrades from the danger zone, saving several lives in the process. Displaying exceptional gallantry and selfless devotion to duty, Sepoy Gurtej Singh fought till his last breath, making the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

For his conspicuous bravery, fearless leadership, and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, Sepoy Gurtej Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra (Posthumous).

• Sepoy Gertey Singh Has a Memorial at his village in Birewala Dogran in Mansa (Punjab).