Sowar Sohan Singh Solanki

Sowar Sohan Singh Solanki hailed from Mahoo Khas village in Hindaun tehsil of Karauli district in Rajasthan and was born on 25 Jul 1974. Son of Shri Ratan Singh Solanki and Smt Janani Devi, Sowar Sohan Singh joined the Army after his initial schooling on 28 April 1994 at he age of 19 years. He was recruited into 20 Lancers of the Armoured Corps, the combat arm of the Indian Army, well known for its potent battle tanks. After serving for some time with his parent unit he was deputed to serve with 4 Rashtriya Rifles deployed in J & K area for counter insurgency operations.

Kupwara Attack: 06 Aug 1999

During Aug 1999, Swr Sohan Singh was serving with 4 RR battalion, deployed in Kupwara district of J&K. Though, the Kargil war had ended on 26 July 1999, the situation along the LOC was tense during Aug 1999, and the troops were on alert for any eventualities. Also during that period a substantial number of army personnel were deployed at Anantnag as part of the security cover for Amarnath Yatra. The Kupwara town was left under the CRPF and the militants saw this as an opportune moment to attack the Army camp of 4 RR unit. Thus in a pre-planned move, at around 1:15 am on 06 Aug 1999, the Army camp of 4 RR unit in village Chak Nutnusa in Kupwara district was attacked by a group of heavily armed militants.

Capt Mandeep Singh was the Company Commander of 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion which came under the deadly armed assault on that day. Capt Mandeep Singh and his troops including Swr Sohan Singh swung into action and counter attacked. Though it was a surprise attack, Swr Sohan Singh and his comrades rose to the occasion and effectively engaged the militants. However during the heavy exchange of fire Swr Sohan Singh received gun shots and was severely injured. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Besides Swr Sohan Singh, three more soldiers from 4 RR Battalion made the supreme sacrifice during the operation. The other martyred soldiers included Capt Mandeep Singh, Naik Mithilesh Pathak and Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana. Swr Sohan Singh was a gallant and committed soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 25 years in the service of the nation.

Swr Sohan Singh is survived by his father Shri Ratan Singh Solanki, mother Smt Janani Devi and wife Smt Saroj Devi.