Major Bhanu Pratap Singh SM

Major Bhanu Pratap Singh hailed from Lohsana Bada village in Churu district of Rajasthan. Son of Shri RS Rathore a police officer of Rajasthan cadre and Smt Padma Kanwar, he was passionate about the Armed Forces since his childhood. He continued to follow his dream and eventually joined the Army after passing the Combined Defence Services Examination. He was determined to have a career in the army and had cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) thrice before he joined in 2001, when he finally managed to convince his mother, who was apprehensive about the safety of her son. He got commissioned into the 8 Raj Rif battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, the well-known infantry Regiment of Indian Army.

The young Lt Bhanu Pratap Singh was proud to be part of Rajputana Rifles Regiment and believed in its motto Veer Bhogya Vasundhara (वीर भोग्य वसुंधरा ) meaning “The Brave Shall Inherit the Earth”. After joining his unit, he soon honed his field craft skills while taking part in various operations. After serving for few years, he got married to Ms Sarika and the couple had a son Rudra Pratap.  Besides being a deep rooted soldier, he was a family man fulfilling his role as loving son, father, and husband. Later he was deputed to serve with 43 RR battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. By the year 2008, he had put in around 7 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Major. 

Thana Mandi Operation (J&K) :  20th Jul 2008

During 2008, Maj Bhanu Pratap Singh’s unit 43 Rashtriya Rifles was deployed in the Rajouri district of J&K. The unit troops were engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a regular basis as its AOR (Area of Responsibility) was affected by active militancy. Maj Bhanu Pratap’s unit also undertook operations to check the infiltration bids as its AOR was prone to infiltration by the militants from across the border. On 19 July 2008, the security forces received credible information from intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in the Kunda area of Thana Mandi Tehsil. Based on the intelligence inputs 43 RR along with the Special Operation Group of J & K Police launched a search and destroy operation.  

The joint assault team led by Maj Bhanu Pratap Singh reached the suspected area and launched the operation on 20 July 2008. Soon the troops made contact with the terrorists and cornered them. The terrorists hiding in a dhok (mud house) were shocked and caught totally unaware. To ensure that the terrorists do not escape, Maj Bhanu Pratap along with his buddy entered the dhok. A ferocious fire fight ensued with the terrorists, who were firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades at the team. He, though hit and critically injured by terrorist fire, crawled, returned accurate fire and rescued his team and an old lady trapped inside, to safety. However, Maj Bhanu Pratap soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Bhanu Pratap was a valiant soldier and a fine officer, who led from the front and laid down his life in the service of the nation, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Maj Bhanu Pratap Singh was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

Maj Bhanu Pratap Singh is survived by his father Shri RS Rathore, mother Smt Padma Kanwar, wife Smt Sarika Singh, and son Rudra Pratap Singh.