Sepoy Harminder Singh

Sepoy Harminder Singh hailed from Badinpur, a small village in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab. He was the beloved son of Shri Jaswant Singh and Smt Gurpreet Kaur. Growing up in Punjab—a land steeped in valour, martial traditions, and proud military history—he absorbed the values of courage, discipline, and service to the nation from an early age. Inspired by the stories of Sikh warriors and the sacrifices of countless Indian soldiers, young Sep Harminder developed a strong desire during his school days to join the Indian Army. With determination and focus, he worked steadily towards his goal. His efforts bore fruit in December 2016, soon after completing his education, when he joined the Army and was inducted into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. This renowned infantry regiment has a glorious legacy of gallantry in wars as well as counter-insurgency operations, and becoming a part of it was both an honour and a responsibility for him.

The early years of his service were marked by rigorous training and challenging field postings. These experiences tested his endurance, shaped his professional skills, and moulded him into a confident and battle-ready soldier.  After serving with his parent unit for a few years, Sepoy Harminder Singh was deputed to the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, one of the Army’s most respected counter-insurgency units deployed in Jammu & Kashmir. A posting with the Rashtriya Rifles is considered one of the toughest in the Army, demanding exceptional courage, vigilance, and operational readiness. In this role, he operated in one of the most volatile regions of the country, where soldiers routinely face grave risks while countering terrorist threats and safeguarding local communities. By 2025, Sepoy Harminder Singh had completed nearly nine years of service in the Army. 

Operation Akhal (J&K): 01-08 Aug 2025

In 2025, Sepoy Harminder Singh was serving with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), deployed in the Kulgam district of Jammu & Kashmir—a region that had long remained a focal point of militancy and counter-insurgency operations. The battalion operated under the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Kilo, functioning under the operational control of the XV Corps, popularly known as the Chinar Corps, headquartered in Srinagar. Tasked with overseeing all military operations across the Kashmir Valley, the Corps bore the immense responsibility of ensuring security and stability in a region marked by hostile terrain and persistent militant threats. For the soldiers of 19 RR, life in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) was one of unrelenting vigilance. Every patrol, search, or mission carried the looming possibility of ambushes, infiltration attempts, and sudden firefights. Round-the-clock alertness was not merely expected—it was essential for survival. Serving here demanded extraordinary courage, endurance, and mental resilience, qualities that Sepoy Harminder Singh displayed in abundance.

It was against this backdrop that Operation Akhal was launched on 1 August 2025 in the Akhal Khulsan forest. Based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of three to five militants concealed in the rain-soaked, rugged mountains, security forces mounted a large-scale operation. The Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police joint forces, supported by drones, helicopters, and para commandos, to flush out the militants before they could strike. On 8 August 2025, fresh intelligence confirmed that a group of heavily armed terrorists was preparing for a major attack, which, if successful, could cause large-scale destruction. The 19 RR, in coordination with other security elements, immediately planned a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) to neutralize the threat. Sepoy Harminder Singh was chosen as part of the assault team assigned to this high-risk mission. In the early hours of the operation, the team advanced stealthily through the dense forests of Kulgam. Once the cordon was established, the troops began a systematic search of the suspected hideouts. The militants, realizing they were cornered, opened indiscriminate fire and hurled grenades. The valley’s silence was shattered by the thunderous echoes of gunfire, grenade blasts, and shouted commands, as a fierce battle unfolded in the rugged terrain.

At the forefront of the fight stood Sepoy Harminder Singh, who remained composed and resolute under fire. His team successfully neutralized one militant early in the encounter. However, the remaining terrorists launched a desperate counter-attack, attempting to break the cordon with heavy gunfire and grenades. In the intense exchange, a grenade exploded dangerously close to his position, followed by a burst of gunfire. In that critical moment, Sepoy Harminder Singh was struck by a bullet and suffered a grievous injury. Despite the best efforts of his comrades, he succumbed on the spot, laying down his life in the line of duty. The encounter also claimed the life of another valiant soldier, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, who fought side by side with his comrades until his last breath. Their courage and sacrifice ensured that the militants’ plans were foiled, averting a major attack and saving countless innocent lives. At just 26 years of age, Sepoy Harminder Singh made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. His unwavering devotion to duty, indomitable spirit, and raw courage in the face of mortal danger epitomized the finest traditions of the Indian Army. 

Sepoy Harminder Singh is survived by his father Shri Jaswant Singh, mother Smt Gurpreet Kaur, a brother and a sister.