Service No: IC-51242
Date of Birth :18 Sep 1970
Birth Place: Chandigarh
Service: Army
Last Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Unit :22 Grenadiers
Arm/Regt : The Grenadiers
Award : AC
Operation : Op Rakshak (J&K)
Date of Martyrdom : Dec 05, 1992
2nd Lieutenant Rakesh Singh was born on 18th Sept 1970 in a military family in Chandigarh. Son of an Army veteran Col Raj Singh and Smt Savitri, 2nd Lt Rakesh was passionate about army life and always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father since his childhood. Youngest of the three siblings, 2nd Lt Rakesh did his early school education from Saint Joseph’s Boys High School Kirkee, Pune and later on studied in Model School Rohtak. He continued to work hard towards his goal and got selected in the prestigious NDA. He joined the 79th course of NDA and got commissioned on 13 June 1992. He was commissioned into 22 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers, an infantry regiment known for its valiant soldiers and numerous battle honors.
Shopian Operation: 05 Dec 1992
During 1992, 2nd Lt Rakesh’s unit 22 Grenadiers was deployed in J & K for counter-insurgency operations. As the unit’s area of operation was the hotbed of militant activities, the unit troops had to maintain a very high state of alert and often undertook operations against the militants. In one such operation, on the 5th of December 1992, 2nd Lt Rakesh as the commander of ‘B’ company was given the responsibility for blocking the escape of eight terrorists. The terrorists had carried out an attack in Shopian tehsil in Pulwama district and were escaping to their hideouts. While organizing his troops at Paadarpur village’s west area, 2nd Lt Rakesh received information at around 7 am from another company that the terrorists had reached the south of the village after fleeing from the attack site.
Though 2nd Lt Rakesh was short of troops, he immediately rushed to spot to block their escape. On being challenged, the terrorists attacked 2nd Lt Rakesh and his troops with automatic weapons, but unfazed 2nd Lt Rakesh counter attacked and killed two terrorists. Facing a determined attack from the troops, the terrorists started to flee, but one of the soldiers of 2nd Lt Rakesh’s company blocked the escape route. On seeing his soldier in danger, 2nd Lt Rakesh attempted to reach a vantage point to attack and ran through the barrage of fire. 2nd Lt Rakesh got hit by bullets in his shoulder and arm in this process, but he got up and fired back killing three more terrorists.
Inspired by the outstanding courage of their young company commander, the unit fought back with double vigor and killed three more terrorists. The mission was thus successfully completed by the unit under the inspiring leadership and daredevilry of 2nd Lt Rakesh. 2nd Lt Rakesh later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. 2nd Lt Rakesh was awarded the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ” Ashok Chakra” for his raw courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice.
The Citation of Ashok Chakra awarded to him reads:
On 5th December 1992, 2/Lt Rakesh Singh’s company was assigned the task of cutting off escape route of eight fleeing Afghan Mujahedeen, flushed out during operation. In the process, exemplifying the spirit of aggressiveness he single-handedly killed five of retreating Mujahedeen before succumbing to fatal injuries sustained during the operation. In recognition of his brave and selfless act he was awarded posthumously the nation’s highest peace time gallantry award the “Ashok Chakra”.
Geeshma Dhyan
2017 at 1:10 pmI salute your heroism and sacrifice. We shall forever remain indebted to you for your service to the nation. Jai Hind
Rajesh Kumar singh
2019 at 3:19 pmI am blessed to have you as brother . You sacrificed your life in the service of the Nation at young age of only 22 years and thereby have set an shining example of devotion towards your duty.
Though a single day has not passed when we all missed you,yet you are very much alive amongst all the family members and friends.
Love and looking forward to be with you again.Jai Hind
Major Shamsher Sindhu , Vetran
2019 at 11:56 amRakesh was a dear friend and my class mate in Model school Rohtak. Very charming and endearing personality. He dreamt of being in the uniform since childhood.
We were to meet in end Dec the same fateful month as we were to relieve them. Saw place of his martyrdom and paid my homage
A brave soldier and a exemplary young leader. RIP brother till we meet again.
SUBRAMANYA Ex- JWO
2019 at 5:29 pmBravado 2Lt Rakesh Singh AC
Your sacrifice will remain in the hearts of millions of Indians.
We Salute you
JAI HIND.
Jagdeep
2020 at 2:46 pmCan u plz share contact no. Of the family
Vipin Gupta
2019 at 8:29 pmSalute to the bravest amongst braves! Indeed we are indebted to such a supreme sacrifice.
Prof R K Pannu
2019 at 2:48 pmWe pay our Homage to brave LT Rakesh on the day of Supreme sacrifice for the country at the young age of 22 years. Pray God for courage to patriot family for great loss for the cause of national and peace to the departed soul. R K Pannu and family
Mrs Rajni Mehla
2019 at 11:37 pmBobby has physically gone but he will always be alive in our Hearts. I still remember his words when I asked which Regiment he is going
He said Buaji THE GRENADIERS . He knew my husband is also from Grenadiers.
Raj Kumar
2020 at 1:49 pmA brave soldier and a exemplary young leader. We shall forever remain indebted to you for your service to the nation. Jai Hind
Pankaj Hooda
2021 at 8:05 pmBobby you remain always with us
Rampratap Nain
2022 at 7:12 amOn the eve of completing our 30 years of commissioned service, Dear Mate we miss you. However, we are proud of your sacrifice n great service to our Nation at a very young age. You are always with us deep into our hearts….Col RP Nain
Deepak Khanna
2023 at 9:42 amI, salute to his courage and sacrifice for our country.
May God Almighty bless his family to have such a brave son whose martyrdom will be remembered all along their Life…