Captain Ajit Singh VrC SM

Capt Ajit Singh always wanted to don the military uniform right from his younger days like many young people in Punjab. He was enrolled into 166 Fd Regt of of the Regiment of Artillery, the combat support arm of the Indian Army, well known for its booming guns and heavy weaponry. He was awarded “Vir Chakra, for his commendable bravery in the year 1971. Later he became a commissioned officer and joined 299 Med Regt.

Op Rakshak: 22 Jun 1994

During 1994, Capt Ajit Singh's unit 299 Med Regt was deployed in the Kashmir Valley as part of “Operation Rakshak”. On 22 June 1994, the unit got intelligence input regarding the presence of some terrorists in Khanan village in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. As a result the unit decided to launch a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) by team comprising two Officers, three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 30 other ranks. Capt Ajit Singh and Capt Dhanwant Sharma were the two officers leading the operation. Capt Ajit Singh and his comrades swung into action and set off for the suspected area. 

While moving towards Khanan village on the outskirts, Capt Ajit Singh and his soldiers came under Light Machine Gun fire. Capt Ajit Singh along with Capt Dhanwant Sharma quickly redeployed his troops and immediately retaliated. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire. During this process, Capt Ajit Singh suffered bullet injuries. Undeterred, with utter disregard to his own personal safety, Capt Ajit Singh continued to lead the operation and managed to eliminate two terrorists. In the ensuing operation, Capt Dhanwant too got severely injured and soon succumbed to his injuries. Capt Ajit Singh continued to lead the operation till he collapsed. Later Capt Ajit Singh succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Ajit Singh was a valiant soldier and a gritty officer, who laid down his life in the line of his duty. He was given the gallantry award “Sena Medal", for his commendable bravery, devotion to duty, camaraderie and supreme sacrifice.