Nb Sub Mangej Singh VrC

Nb Sub Mangej Singh hailed from Harnawa village in Parbatsar tehsil of Nagaur district in Rajasthan and was born on 2nd Aug 1958. Son of Shri Guman Singh and Smt Mohan Kanwar, Nb Sub Mangej Singh was the youngest among three brothers. He joined the Indian Army after completing his schooling and was recruited into 11 Raj Rif battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours. After completing his training, he served in various operational areas and developed into a dedicated soldier.

After serving for few years he got married to Ms. Santosh and the couple had three sons Vikram Singh, Girwar Singh and Jitendra Singh. By 1999, he had put in nearly two decades of service and had been promoted to the rank of Naib Subedar. By then, he had evolved into a dependable Junior Commissioned Officer, capable of handling various operations.  

Op Thunderbolt: 06 June 1999

During 1999, Nb Sub Mangej Singh's unit 11 Raj Rif was deployed in J & K along the LOC. In 1999, It was very early days of Kargil war when there was very less information available about the enemy troops. A company of 11 Raj Rif was deployed in Operation Thunderbolt on June 6^th, 1999 at an altitude of 18,000 feet in the Turtuk region. Their mission was to capture a position in the region which would facilitate the army to monitor the movements of the enemy troops better. The capture of this position would give the troops a strategic advantage in those early stages of the war. Nb Sub Mangej Singh and three other soldiers were tasked for this operation with Captain Haneef Uddin as the Patrol team leader.  They made significant strides on the nights of 4^th and 5^th June and captured nearby positions. They captured the adjacent position and set out their advance on 6^th June to capture the position they desired. They were undeterred by an altitude of 18,500 feet and extreme temperatures. They were however spotted by the enemy and fired upon. A firefight followed, against an enemy equipped with heavy artillery.

When the patrol was 50 metres short of the target, the enemy opened heavy automatic fire on the troops. Nb Sub Mangej Singh personally took charge of the MMG (medium machine gun) and engaged the enemy. The Medium Machine Gun was deployed in the open terrain without any cover. In the firefight, he received gunshot wounds in his chest. Undeterred by his injuries and showing utter disregard to personal safety, Nb Sub Mangej Singh continued firing on the enemy till the patrol could extricate itself from the enemy fire. Nb Sub Mangej Singh soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.  Nb Sub Mangej Singh was a valiant and committed soldier, who displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a very high order during the operation and made the supreme sacrifice. Nb Sub Mangej Singh was awarded “Vir Chakra” posthumously for displaying commendable courage, camaraderie and supreme sacrifice. 

Nb Sub Mangej Singh is survived by his wife Smt Santhosh Kanwar and sons Shri Vikram Singh, Shri Girwar Singh & Shri Jitendra Singh.

• Shaheed Mangej Singh Filling Station named after Nb Sub Mangej Singh is situated at Jhotwara in Jaipur in Rajasthan.
• The Higher Secondary School at his native village Harnawa in Nagaur district has been named after Nb Sub Mangej Singh in his honour.