7 days ago
Maha Vir Chakra awardee's kin present his medals to Garhwal Rifles Regiment
In a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 60th death anniversary of Captain Chander Narain Singh who had laid down his life during the India Pakistan War of 1965, the officer's family presented his medals to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment as a tribute to his legacy.
Sukhdev Singh, brother of the late officer, handed over the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and other service medals to Lieutenant General DS Rana, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), who received them on behalf of the Regiment.
Lt Gen DS Rana paid tributes to Captain Singh, describing him as a true symbol of bravery, leadership and patriotism. He expressed deep gratitude to the family for entrusting the Regiment with his medals and affirmed that the legacy of the officer would continue to inspire future generations of Indian soldiers.
Captain Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his exceptional bravery and leadership during the India Pakistan War of 1965. Born on July 7, 1939 in Shikarpur, Garhwal (Uttar Pradesh), he was attached to Headquarters 120 Infantry Brigade when, on August 5, 1965, reports emerged of over 100 Pakistani infiltrators in the Brigade's Area of Responsibility.
Tasked with verifying the threat, he led a patrol to a high-altitude region comprising Chhu-i-Nar and Op Hill features. While flushing the area, his team came under heavy enemy fire and grenade attacks. Undeterred and despite being outnumbered, he chose to launch a night assault, during which his small team neutralised six enemy soldiers and injured several others, forcing the rest to retreat. Even after being hit in the head by enemy fire during a counterattack, Captain Singh continued to lead and refused evacuation, ultimately laying down his life in the line of duty.
The medals presented by the family members of the Braveheart will be preserved and displayed at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand.
