Sepoy Vikram Singh SC

Sepoy Vikram Singh was born on 15 March 1983 in Rewari, Haryana. After his schooling, he joined the Army in the year 2002 at the age of 19 years. He was enrolled into 17th Battalion of the Rajput regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its fearless soldiers. After serving for a couple of years with his parent unit Sepoy Vikram Singh was later deputed in December 2012, to serve with 44 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, deployed in J & K for counterinsurgency operations.

After serving for few years, he got married to Ms Sushila and the couple had a son Abhishek. Sepoy Vikram Singh was soft-spoken and gentle hearted and epitomized the soldiering excellence. He participated in many operations and proved his mettle as a soldier many a times.

Shopian Operation: 25 April 2014

Sepoy Vikram was deployed in an anti-terrorist search operation in a village of Shopian District of Jammu and Kashmir on 25 April 2014. As Major Mukund Varadarajan’s buddy, Sepoy Vikram assisted the officer in preparation and placing charges in the target house. Sepoy Vikram repeatedly exposed himself to danger as he provided cover to the Major Mukund. By about 1800 hours, the terrorists were confined to an outhouse with difficult stand-off access.

Displaying courage and resolve, Sepoy Vikram accompanied Major Mukund as the duo crawled to the outhouse. As Major Mukund Varadarajan was gravely injured in the process of eliminating two terrorists, Sepoy Vikram threw caution to the wind and displaying camaraderie and an acute sense of mission orientation jumped ahead of the officer while calling for his evacuation.

The third terrorist, sensing threat, fired indiscriminately injuring Sepoy Vikram. The resolute soldier held on despite his injuries and shot the terrorist at close quarters as he tried to escape. In the second exchange of fire, Sepoy Vikram received a gunshot wound to the head and neck and later succumbed to his injuries. Sepoy Vikram Singh displayed exemplary courage and fighting spirit in the operation which culminated in the elimination of the three top terrorists. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India’s 3rd highest peacetime gallantry award in 2014, for displaying valor beyond the call of his duty during the operation.

Sepoy Vikram Singh is survived by his wife Smt Sushila Singh and son, Abhishek Kumar.

The citation for Shaurya Chakra awarded to him reads:

On 25 April 2014, Sepoy Vikram was part of an operation in Village of Shopiyan District of Jammu and Kashmir. As Major Mukund Varadarajan’s buddy, Sepoy Vikram assisted the officer in preparation and placing charges in the target house. Sepoy Vikram repeatedly exposed himself to danger as he provided cover to the Major Mukund. By about 1800 hours, the terrorists were confined to an outhouse with difficult stand-off access. Displaying courage and with resolve, Sepoy Vikram accompanied the Major Mukund as the duo crawled to the outhouse. As Major Mukund Varadarajan was grievously injured in the process of eliminating two terrorists, Sepoy Vikram threw caution to the wind and displaying camaraderie and an acute sense of mission orientation, he jumped ahead of the officer while calling for his evacuation.

The third terrorists, sensing threat, fired indiscriminately injuring Sepoy Vikram. The resolute jawan held on despite his injuries and shot the terrorist at close quarters as he tried to escape. In the second exchange of fire, Sepoy Vikram received a Gun Shot Wound to the head and neck and succumbed on the spot. For exhibiting camaraderie in battle, the courage of an exceptional order and making the supreme sacrifice in the true traditions of the Indian Army, Sepoy Vikram has been posthumously awarded India’s third highest Gallantry Award in peacetime “ SHAURYA CHAKRA”.