Lance HavildarNek Singh, KC (Kirti Chakra), SC (Shaurya Chakra) (died 15 August 1994) was a soldier in the Indian Army who was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for his actions during a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir in August 1994. He was earlier the recipient of the Shaurya Chakra, India's third highest peacetime gallantry award.[1]
In one of the under cover operations in South Kashmir, Singh was attired in civil dress. He went alone to a terrorists hideout on top of a hill, spoke to them in Kashmiri and Urdu, who took him into their group. He shot four of them and came back with four AK 47 Rifles. For his courage he was awarded India's third highest peacetime gallantry award the Shaurya Chakra.[3] In 1994, fSingh was serving with 2 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, which was deployed for intensive counter-insurgency operations in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. On 7 August 1994, credible intelligence indicated the presence of militants in Hassarpur Tabela village in Kulgam tehsil. A focused operation was launched, and a cordon was established around the area. A patrol subsequently moved towards Village Khudawain and encountered militants near Village Rahpur, where they came under intense gunfire. During the engagement, Singh sustained a gunshot wound to his thigh but continued to engage the enemy. He and an accompanying officer pursued two militants who were attempting to flee. When the militants took cover and returned fire, Nek Singh is reported to have shielded his comrade and engaged them at close range, killing one militant. Despite sustaining further gunshot wounds, he continued fighting and killed the second militant, neutralizing the threat. Shortly after the encounter, his thigh injury became catastrophic and caused him to collapse. He was evacuated by helicopter to the 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on 15 August 1994. His actions reportedly led to the elimination of two Pakistan-trained militants and the recovery of an AK-56 rifle and ammunition, significantly impacting militant activity in the area.[4]
Award
For his bravery, disregard for personal safety, and supreme sacrifice during the operation, Lance Havildar Nek Singh was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra.[5]
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