Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh SC

Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh was born on January 27, 1984, in Dhani Chapra village of Manjhi block, Saran district, Bihar. He was the eldest child of Shri Rameshwar Singh and Smt  Rajkumari Devi. Coming from a proud lineage of soldiers, with both his father and grandfather having served in the Indian Army, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar was deeply inspired to follow in their footsteps from an early age. His passion for the Armed Forces drove him to enlist in the Indian Army in 2002, at the age of 18, after completing his schooling. He was recruited into the 14 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, an esteemed infantry unit known for its fearless warriors and rich legacy of valour.

Displaying exceptional dedication and courage, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh quickly evolved into a tough and capable soldier. His adventurous spirit led him to volunteer for commando training, after which he joined the elite 9 Para (SF) battalion, renowned for its expertise in mountain warfare and counter-insurgency operations. By 2010, with eight years of service to his name, he had gained extensive experience operating in diverse and challenging terrains. That year, he was deputed to the 63 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalion, which was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajouri Sector Operation(J&K) : 02 Apr 2010

During 2010, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh was serving with the 63 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalion, which was deployed in the Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. The region, known for its difficult terrain and strategic importance, was highly active with militant activity and frequent infiltration attempts from across the border. Given the volatile security situation, the unit was engaged in regular operations against terrorists and conducted continuous armed patrols to prevent infiltration. The area of responsibility (AOR) of the unit included dense forests, remote and rugged mountainous terrain, and extreme weather conditions—especially harsh during the winter months. On April 2, 2010, intelligence reports indicated the presence of hardcore terrorists in Kalakote village, Rajouri district. Acting on this input, security forces launched a cordon and search operation to eliminate the threat. Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh was part of the assault team tasked with executing this mission.

As per the plan, Sepoy Shailesh and his comrades maneuvered into the dense forests of Rajouri to reach the suspected hideout. Soon, they established contact with the terrorists, who opened fire on the troops. Amidst the intense exchange of gunfire, Sepoy Shailesh quickly assessed the situation and positioned himself 50 meters away from the enemy. Displaying exceptional combat skills, he deployed his Multiple Grenade Launcher (MGL) to unleash a heavy volume of fire, effectively pinning down the terrorists and preventing their escape. After a prolonged gunfight, two terrorists made a desperate attempt to break the cordon by firing indiscriminately and charging at the soldiers. Recognizing the imminent danger to his team, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved forward under intense enemy fire. With remarkable accuracy, he neutralized both terrorists, preventing them from breaching the security perimeter and saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.

However, during the firefight, Sepoy Shailesh was struck by enemy gunfire and sustained severe injuries. Despite his critical condition, he fought bravely until he succumbed to his wounds. At just 26 years of age, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, displaying unparalleled courage, selflessness, and devotion to the nation. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the "Shaurya Chakra", one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards. His legacy continues to inspire generations of soldiers and citizens alike.

The citation for ‘Shaurya Chakra” awarded to him reads:

On 2nd April 2010, during a seek and destroy operation in the forest in the Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir, Sep Shailesh Kumar Singh of 63 Rashtriya Rifles took a position fifty meters away from the location of terrorists and was bringing down effective Multiple Grenade Launcher fire pinning them down.

After a prolonged firefight, two terrorists attempted to break the Security Force Cordon by firing indiscriminately and charging at own troops. Realizing the danger to his own troops as they were under inadequate cover, Sep Shailesh Kumar Singh with utter disregard to own safety swiftly moved forward firing MGL accurately killing two terrorists thereby saving the precious lives of his own troops. In the firefight, Sep Shailesh Kumar Singh sustained a gunshot wound and made the supreme sacrifice.