Sepoy Hari Singh SC

Sep Hari Singh hailed from Rewari District of Haryana and was born on 15th Aug 1993. Son of an Army veteran Agadi Singh, Sep Hari Singh was third among his five siblings. Sep Hari Singh joined the Army at the age of 18 years in 2011 and was inducted in the 20th battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment. By 2019, Sep Hari Singh had put in around eight years of service and had evolved into a committed soldier.

After serving for a few years with his parent unit, Sep Hari Singh was deputed to serve with 55 RR Battalion, deployed in J & K for counterinsurgency operations. Sep Hari Singh got married to Ms Radha Bai in 2016 and the couple had a son, Laksha Chauhan.

Pulwama Operation: 18 Feb 2019

During 2018-2019, Sepoy Hari Singh’s unit 55 RR, was deployed in Pulwama district in J&K and was engaged in operations against the militants on a regular basis. Following the terrorists’ attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on 14 Feb 2019, the security forces were maintaining a state of high alert, and subsequently, a massive operation was launched to nab the perpetrators of the attack. On 17 Feb 2019, the security forces received credible information from the intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Pinglan village of Pulwama district. Based on the intelligence inputs 55 RR along with the Special Operation Group of J & K Police launched a search and destroy operation in Pinglan a neighborhood of Kakpora the home of the terrorist, who had attacked the CRPF convoy on 14 Feb.

The assault team was being led by Brigadier Harbir Singh himself and Sepoy Hari Singh was part of the team. On being challenged the terrorists opened fire and a fierce gun battle ensued thereafter lasting for over 20 hours. A number of hardcore terrorists responsible for the attack on the CRPF convoy on 14 Feb, were eliminated during the encounter. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, eleven security personnel too got injured including the leader of the team. The injured soldiers were shifted to the Army Hospital but Sepoy Hari Singh and three other soldiers Maj VS Dhoundiyal, Sep Ajay Kumar, and Hav Sheo Ram succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Sepoy Hari Singh was a valiant soldier, who displayed grit determination during the operation and laid down his life at the age of 26 years, in the service of the nation. Sepoy Hari Singh was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.

Sep Hari Singh is survived by his wife Smt Radha Bai and son Laksha Chauhan.