Colonel Gurbir Singh Sarna, KC

Colonel Gurbir Singh Sarna was born on 10^th March 1966 to Shri Didar Singh Sarna and Smt Parkash  Kaur. Col Gurbir Singh Sarna did his schooling from G.H.P.S. school, Vasant Vihar in Delhi and then qualified for the National Defence Academy in 1983. After three years of training in NDA,  he moved to Indian Military Academy Dehradun for the advance military training. He got commissioned into 9 Grenadiers of the famed Grenadiers Regiment known for its gallantry and various battle honours.

During his service career, Col Gurbir Singh Sarna served in various locations with different terrain and operating conditions. He served as an instructor at the infantry School and as staff officer at the Brigade Headquarters, in Poonch District of J & K. He also served as the Second in Command of 13 Grenadiers in 1989, before taking over as the Commanding Officer of 29 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Jammu Kashmir in June 2005, when he was promoted to the rank of a full Colonel. Col Sarna was an outstanding sports man and a good artist as well. He was a committed soldier and an officer par excellence, who was well respected among his troops.

Baramulla Operation: 23 Dec 2006

During 2006, Col Gurbir Singh Sarna’s unit 29 RR, was deployed in J & K and engaged in anti-terrorist operations. On 23^rd Dec 2006, his unit received credible information from the intelligence sources about the presence of four hardcore terrorists in Behrampur in Baramulla sector. After analyzing the inputs a decision was taken to launch a search and destroy operation to flush out the terrorists. Col Gurbir Singh Sarna decided to lead the operation himself as he always believed in leading from the front.

As the operation was launched, the troops soon cordoned off the suspected house which was being used as a hideout by the militants.  Col Sarna, entered the house along with his troops to carry out the search and look for vital clues. He came across a bundle of grass in the house which looked very suspicious to him. This led to the discovery of a secret hideout and a militant opened fire on the troops on being challenged. In the exchange of fire Col Gurbir Singh Sarna was hit by six bullets and got seriously injured. However, despite severely wounded and bleeding from his stomach, he fired back at the militant killing him instantly. Col Sarna killed 2 terrorists and ran up to the rooftop, holding his stomach with one hand and gun in another hand. He then chased and fired at three other terrorists, injuring them.

In spite of his injuries, Col Sarna  continued leading his men and giving instructions to search other houses till he collapsed. He was airlifted to the base hospital in Srinagar, but succumbed to his injuries on the way. Col Gurbir Singh Sarna was martyred but set an outstanding example of military leadership , courage and sacrifice. Col Gurbir Singh Sarna was given the nation’s second highest peace time gallantry award, ” Kirti Chakra” for his gallant act and supreme sacrifice.

Colonel Sarna is survived by his wife Jasleen Kaur, son Sehaj Preet, his father Didar Singh Sarna, mother Prakash Kaur and younger brother Colonel MS Sarna.