Nirbhay Singh (soldier)
Naik Nirbhay Singh (May 1, 1958 – June 6, 1984) was an Indian military Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) with the 15th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment.[1] For his bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime military decoration in India on 26 January 1985.
Nirbhay Singh | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Nirbhay Singh Sisodiya |
| Born | May 1, 1958 Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India |
| Died | June 6, 1984 (aged 26) Amritsar, Punjab, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Rank |  Naik |
| Service number | 4167546 |
| Unit | 15 Kumaon |
| Battles/wars | Operation Blue Star |
| Awards |  Ashoka Chakra |
During the Operation Blue Star on 6 June 1984, he provided cover for his company commander from heavy firing by the Sikh militants using medium machine guns. Sensing danger to his company from a light machine gun in a pot hole, Singh charged towards the gun. Although he suffered bullet shots to his legs, he crawled to reach the pot hole and lobbed a grenade into the basement, but exposed himself to heavy firing and succumbed to his injuries.[2]
Early life
Naik Nirbhay Singh was born on 1 May 1958 to Late Mr Nand Singh, who was Aide-de-Camp to the Tehsildar and Mrs Mata Basant Kanwar, a simple and religious lady, in Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Naik Nirbhay Singh was the eighth child amongst a family of five brothers and four sisters. His elder sisters are Shashikala Sisodiya, Hansa Sisodiya and Vijya Sisodiya and the name of two brothers are Kalyan Singh Sisodia and Abhay Sigh Sisodia respectively. He was a keen sportsman and his early education took place in Jhalawar where he passed his IX class from Government Higher Secondary School.
Military career
From childhood, he was determined to join the forces so after his class IX he enrolled himself in the Army and was posted to 15 Kumaon Regiment.
Operation Blue Star
In 1984, terrorism was on its peak in Punjab and the terrorists had captured the sacred Golden Temple, fortified it and made it their headquarters. Operation Blue Star was an Indian Military Operation launched between 1st June 1984 to 8th June 1984, on order by honorable Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, in order to establish control and evacuate the shrine complex.
During the operation, Naik Nirbhay Singh was chosen as the Light Machine Gun Detachment Commander of ‘A’ Company when his company was given the task to clear an important building complex which was heavily fortified and strongly held by fierce terrorists. As the company moved towards its goal, they came under heavy firing from the militants, therefore, had to halt their actions. Nevertheless, his brave company commander decided to move towards the building all by himself. Naik Nirbhay Singh set forth to provide cover to his Company Commander, plunged forward and mounted a Light Machine gun. He was charged by heavy firing from the militants hidden in the building but he continued to remain in the open and kept firing to provide the cover. While firing, he sensed danger to his Company Commander from a light machine gun mounted in a pothole. Showing extreme valor and courage he marched towards the porthole exposing himself to grave danger. In doing so he got hit by bullets in his leg but his objective remained unfettered. Though injured, he still crawled towards the porthole and silenced the machine gun with a hand grenade. But in the process, he was hit by a blaze of bullets for the second time which proved fatal and he succumbed to his injuries.
Naik Nirbhay disregarded his own safety and made the supreme sacrifice displaying exemplary courage and devotion towards his company. He laid down his life in service of the nation in highest traditions of the Indian Army. Naik Nirbhay lived true to his name fearless.
Ashoka Chakra awardee
For his most conspicuous bravery, cool courage, devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order Naik Nirbhay Singh was posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra, the highest gallantry award during peacetime.
References
- Reddy, Kittu. Bravest of the Brave: Heroes of the Indian Army. p. 92.
- "Acts Of Bravery And Photographs". Indian Army. Retrieved 6 October 2014.