Lt. Navdeep Singh Sacrifice

A Tribute to Lt. Navdeep Singh

In first of its kind this year, army foiled a major infiltration bid from across along Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector ofBandipora district in north Kashmir on Saturday morning.

Twelve militants and an Army officer, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, were killed and two jawans sustained injuries during the encounter, a Srinagar based defence spokesman Lt Col JS Brar said.

He said large group of heavily-armed militants was trying to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir from Gurez Valley from across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in last night but the alert troops challenged the armed terrorists who opened fire and in the ensuing gun-battle five terrorists were killed while others fled back, Lt Col Brar added.

Lt Col Brar said, “Today morning, in the wee hours, at around 1am, our alert troops deployed on the LoC near Bagtor village in Gurez Sector of Bandipora district in north Kashmir intercepted a group of militants trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The group was intercepted when they were trying to cross the Kishanganga River in a Pneumatic boat. Kishanganga River at many places is the de-facto Line of Control between the two sides.”

“This is certainly a new development. The militants were also carrying an inflatable five-man dinghy. When contacted while crossing, a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued. While they tried to come ashore, six terrorists were killed and they fell into the river. Six more terrorists were killed near the shore in a fierce encounter. Five AK rifles, one pistol, two boats, 50 assorted grenades, two radio sets, two compasses and one global positioning system besides a large quantity of war like stores were recovered till reports last came in,” he added.

“In this operation, we lost a gallant officer, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, besides injury to two of our jawans. A lively 26 year old officer, Navdeep was commissioned in March this year into the Army Ordnance Corps and was serving in 15th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry. The operation is still on to comb the neighbouring dense forests in the area,” he said.

Lt Col Brar said this was the eight infiltration attempt this month and the largest so far this year.

The General Officer Commanding 15 Corps, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain May 15, 2011 had expressed his fears that infiltration would increase in the coming months from across the Line of Control in Kashmir after the killing of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.

“After the killing of al-Qaida chief there are fears that Pakistan might try to infiltrate more militants. There are a large number of militants waiting to infiltrate from across the border,” General Hasnain had said.

Army bids adieu to martyr Lt Navdeep Singh

Gurdaspur, Aug 23: A large number of people, including army officers, jawans and officers of the civil administration bid adieu to gallant martyr Lieutenant Navdeep Singh of 15 Maratha Light Infantry, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty during a fierce encounter with the militants along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The young officer laid his life during an anti-infiltration operation near Bagtor village in Gurez sector of Bandipore district of Kashmir.

The fierce encounter and firefight ensued killing 12 terrorists, however, not before seriously injuring the officer who went down fighting till his last breath, upholding the values and ethos of 'Service before Self' in Indian Army.

The entire operation saw 12 hardcore militants being killed besides recovery of arms, ammunition and high quantity of war like stores.

The mortal remains of the martyr were flown in from Jammu by Army authorities and brought to Gurdaspur, his native place.

The last rites were performed yesterday with full military honours at the crematorium on Dhariwal road which witnessed a strong presence of military and civil dignitaries who had come to salute the martyr in recognition of his selfless sacrifice in service of the nation.

The family members of Navdeep Singh, 26 do not have words to describe their woes as their elder son got martyr in Gurez Sector of Bandipora District in North Kashmir. Navdeep Singh got martyr while foiling a major infiltration attempted in Gurez Sector. He got died on the spot while other 12 militants also got died in the wee hours at around 1 am.

Parents and relatives of Navdeep Singh were in a deep shock after heard news by the media. His family also felt proud that their son sacrificed his life for the Nation.

Navdeep family had a huge background and patriotism stuffed into their veins. His father Joginder Singh also provide their services in Army and got retired as a Subedar Major.

Resident of Sant Nagar, Navdeep born on 8 june 1985 and studied in Normal School at village Tibri Cantonment. He got Hotel Management degree from Hotel Management Institute located at Gurdaspur and also done MBA from Army Institute of Management (KolKatta). While dedication of serving Nation Navdeep clears NDA test and joined 15 Maratha Light Infantry as a Lieutenant on April 2010.

While talking to the Pioneer, Joginder Singh told that, they got information that their son got martyr by the media. He told that he came in April 2011 for vacations and we forced him for marriage. Navdeep Sister, Navjot Kaur said that she waited his brother on Rakhi but he was posted in Gurez Sector and has not come. Navdeep lefts One brother, One Sister and Parents behind. After got information about his death, relatives and other neighbored came to their home for expressing grief. Navdeep brother Sandeep told that they did not got any information by the battalion, regarding Navdeep’s death body.

Capt Amarinder salutes Lt Navdeep’s martyrdom

Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today expressed grief over the death of Lieutenant Navdeep Singh while fighting the infiltrators in Gurez Sector along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lt Navdeep hailed from Gurdaspur. Both his father and grandfather have also served in the army.

In a condolence message to his parents, Capt Amarinder said, Lt Navdeep had not only done proud to his parents, but entire Punjab. “I salute his courage and martyrdom”, he said while paying tributes to the young martyr.

The PCC President said, Lieutenant Navdeep’s martyrdom will always be remembered by the people and he will prove to be an inspiration for other youth to join the army and serve the country.

FAMILY

Navdeep’s family hails from Ucha Dhakala village near Gurdaspur and is survived by his parents and younger sister Navjot, who is pursuing MA in English from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and younger brother Sandeep Singh an engineering student of Beant College, Gurdaspur. Holding back tears with great difficulty they said, “Our brother has taught us that safety, honour and welfare of the nation comes first - always and everytime”.


Lt Navdeep Singh



An alumni of Army School Tibri and Institute of Hotel Management Gurdaspur young Navdeep was a bright student, excellent sportsman and highly motivated to join the Army in line with the family traditions inherited from his grandfather Ajit Singh, a veteran of the 1965 war and his father Hony Lt Joginder Singh, who also retired from Army as Subedar Major and is currently re-employed with MES.

He completed his Hotel Management course from Institute of Hotel Management Gurdaspur and further excelled in MBA which he did from Army Institute of Management, Calcutta. The young officer was commissioned in the Army Ordinance Corps in March this year and was serving in the 15th Battalion of The Maratha Light Infantry.