Neeraj Kumar Singh: Difference between revisions

{{one source|date=January 2022}}

The Army man, while leading a search operation at Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir on August 24, 2014, came under heavy fire from terrorists. He rescued an injured Army person and shot dead one of the terrorists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh Ashok Chakra, Lost His Life While Saving His Buddy|url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2015/12/naik-neeraj-kumar-singh-ashok-chakra-lost-his-life-while-saving-his-buddy.html|website=SSB Crack|date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

Neeraj Kumar Singh had enlisted in the 13 Battalion of [[Rajputana Rifles]] in  [[Indian Army]] . He was deputed to serve in the 57 Battalion of the [[Rashtriya Rifles]] for anti-terrorist operations after serving for in his regiment.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Republic Day: Major Mukund Varadarajan, Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/republic-day-major-mukund-varadarajan-naik-neeraj-kumar-singh-posthumously-awarded-ashok-chakra/articleshow/46018178.cms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Neeraj Kumar Singh|url=https://www.thankyouindianarmy.com/neeraj-kumar-singh/|website=Thank You Indian Army|date=11 September 2022}}</ref> For his bravery, courage and self sacrifice he was posthumously awarded [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]], India's highest peacetime gallantry award. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Neeraj Kumar Singh|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/neeraj-kumar-singh|website=Gallantry Awards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Ashok Chakra for Neeraj Kumar, Mukund Varadarajan|work=[[The Tribune]]|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/ashok-chakra-for-neeraj-kumar-mukund-varadarajan-34613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan, Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh posthumously awarded with Ashok Chakra|work=Jagran Josh|url=https://m.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/amp/major-mukund-varadarajan-naik-neeraj-kumar-singh-posthumously-awarded-with-ashok-chakra-1422343195-1}}</ref>

He was awarded India's Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award- [[Ashoka Chakra]] on 26 January 2015, [[Republic Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=114939|title = Gallantry Awards to Army on 26 January 2022}}</ref> His award citation reads: {{quote|''Based on specific intelligence, Brigade Ghataks launched a Search and Destroy Operation at General area Gurdaji of [[Kupwara]] district of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] on 24 August 2014. At 1025 hours, party noticed movement of few terrorists close to a Dhok, who opened indiscriminate fire on own troops. In the ensuring fire fight, a friend of Naik Neeraj was hit on bullet proof jacket. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Naik Neeraj crawled and extricated his friend. A terrorist threw grenades and brought heavy fire on Naik Neeraj. In a daring act, he inched closer to the terrorist and shot him dead. Simultaneously, the NCO was attacked by another terrorist resulting in dropping of his Rifle and the terrorist shot him in the chest. Despite grievous injuries, displaying unparalleled courage, he pounced on the terrorist, snatched his weapon and killed him in hand-to-hand combat. He refused to be evacuated till he became unconscious and was evacuated by helicopter to 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.''}}