Naik Sukhdev Singh VrC

Naik Sukhdev Singh hailed from Bhatnura village of Jalandhar district in Punjab and was born on 10th May 1962. He completed his initial schooling in Government high school in Bhatnura. After completing his initial education, he joined the Indian army and was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its daredevil operations. Later he volunteered to be part of the 9 Para(SF) battalion of the Parachute Regiment, the oldest Indian Army SF battalion, which came into existence in July 1966. The battalion specially trained in mountain warfare, was headquartered in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K). 

Sri Lankan Operations(Op Pawan) : 04 Mar 1989

During March 1989, Naik Sukhdev Singh's unit was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF. After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed war on Indian forces. Initially, only 54 division of the Army was inducted but the escalation of the operations brought three more divisions 3, 4 and 57 into the conflict. By March 1989, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. Naik Sukhdev Singh's unit, 9 Para , was involved in Operation Pawan and was tasked for one such operation on 04 March 1989.

Based on the information from the local intelligence sources, Naik Sukhdev Singh and his comrades were tasked to neutralize a militants' camp. On that day Naik Sukhdev Singh was leading a rocket launcher number one of the 1 Troop Alfa team.  As the troops reached the suspected area, they faced a strong militant camp with over 150 militants. Soon a fierce gun battle followed with heavy exchange of fire from both sides. Under heavy fire, Naik Sukhdev Singh deployed his rocket launcher to give a befitting reply. However he got injured by a claymore mine but continued to fire his rocket launcher. His gallant action succeeding in warding off determined efforts by the militants to assault and encircle Naik Sukhdev Singh's comrades. He continued to fire for nearly 90 minutes till he got seriously hit in the head and was evacuated. Later he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred on the 13th March 1989. Naik Sukhdev Singh displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a very high order during the operation.

Naik Sukhdev Singh was given the gallantry award “Vir Chakra”, on 26 Jan 1990, for his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit and supreme sacrifice.

Citation for the Vir Chakra Awarded to him reads:-

Naik Sukhdev Singh was rocket launcher number one of 1 Troop Alfa team in Sri Lanka. On the 4th March, 1989 the team faced a strong militant camp of approximately 150 strength. Under heavy fire, Naik Sukhdev Singh deployed his rocket launcher. He was injured by a claymore mine but continued to fire his rocket launcher, warding off determined efforts by the militants to assault and encircle the team. He continued to fire for nearly 90 minutes till he got seriously hit in the head and was evacuated. he later succumbed to his injuries on the 13th March, 1989.

Naik Sukhdev Singh displayed conspicuous courage, bravery and valour in action against the militants.