NATION’S HIGHEST AWARD CONFERRED ON CHINAR CORPS WARRIOR

SRINAGAR:  On the morning of Republic Day 2012, Late Lieutenant Navdeep Singh will receive the Nation’s highest peacetime Gallantry award - the ASHOK CHAKRA, which is to be conferred to himposthumously on behalf of a grateful Nation by our Honourable President and the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, on the occasion of the63^rd Republic Day.

 

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, a warrior of the famous Chinar Corps, unhesitatingly sacrificed his precious young life in the service of the Nation, on 20th August 2011, while posted with ‘Veer Marathas’ on the Line of Control in the remote Gurez Sector, located some 100 km North of Srinagar. Lieutenant Navdeep, a third generation soldier and an alumnus of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, was commissioned on 19th March 2011.  

He is fondly remembered by his friends and colleagues as a cheerful, determined and enterprising professional who took pride in his choice of career – a deliberate choice pushing behind his hard earned MBA and Hotel Management degrees – seeking out adventure and fame.  

 

A born leader, Navdeep’s intrinsic talent and raw fighting spirit soon shone through with his Battalion entrusting him with the coveted leadership of its crack Commando Platoon, which he trained and honed into a superbly fit fighting unit. Raring to go and seeking challenges at every step, Navdeep was deployed with his crack team to destroy ill conceived infiltration attempts by hardcore terrorists from across the Line of Control.

 

On the fateful night of 19^th August 2011, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh and his Commando Platoon were deployed in the Kanzalwan Sub Sector in response to intelligence inputs about a desperate bid by a large group of highly trained terrorists, fully equipped and armed to the teeth with deadly weapons. Leading from the front and demonstrating the highest standards oftactical acumen, field craft and fire control, this brave heart quickly sited his ambush, correctly appreciating the path that the terrorists would adopt. In a display of sheer unbridled courage coupled with steely grit, Navdeep allowed the unsuspecting terrorists to walk into his trap. 

Springing his copy book ambush at the last moment, Navdeep singlehandedly engaged andeliminated three hardcore terrorists from close range. Despite being hit and severely injured in the violent return fire, Navdeep continued to control the encounter, marshalling his resources with cool presence of mind. Living upto the highest military ideals, despite being grievously injured, hesaved the life of his buddy while gunning down a fourth terrorist, before eventually succumbing to his injuries. His gallant action resulted in his team eliminating twelve hardcore terrorists in one of the fiercest encounters on the Line of Control, dealing a crippling body blow to the terrorist groups.

 

Lieutenant Navdeep’s supreme sacrifice has not been in vain – indeed his proud fellow Chinar warriors were spurred on into many successful operations with decisive results. The Nation and the Armed Forces fraternity stands as one to salute this young Lion, as we proudly acknowledge his outstanding deed of courage. A grateful Nation will today, bestow its highest honour, on this young immortal Officer of the Indian Army. Honorary Captain (Retired) Joginder Singh, his proud father will receive the ASHOK CHAKRA, on Late Lieutenant Navdeep’s behalf, with fierce pride and aplomb, representing his entire family. 

An accomplished veteran Bengal Sapper with distinguished service following in the footsteps of Navdeep’s grandfather who served in 8 SIKH, Honorary Captain (Retired) Joginder Singh, will represent a very proud set of relatives, friends and fellow brothers in Uniform, many with a wistful tear and a prayer of resolve, as he steps up to the dias amidst thunderous applause. Navdeep’s mother, Mrs Jagtinder Kaur, the fountainhead of pride, courage and strong sense of values that run through the family and fully epitomized by her favourite son, will solemnly accept this ultimate Honour, with a silent prayer on her lips. Lieutenant Navdeep’s younger brother, Sandeep, an aspiring Engineer and his doting sister, Navjot Kaur, both unabashedly proud of his achievements, stand tall with a firm resolve clearly reflecting the ‘go getter’ spirit all pervasive in the family.

 

Lt Navdeep Singh has set the most profound example for the youth of the Nation to follow.

 

“ It's Choice - Not chance - That determines your destiny."