Gurpreet Singh

Biography

Major Gurpreet Singh hailed from Tepla village in the Saha tehsil of Ambala district in Haryana. Born in 1972 into a family with a strong military tradition, he was the son of Army veteran Colonel Inder Singh and grew up imbibing the values of discipline, courage, and patriotism. Inspired by his father's service and driven by a desire to wear the uniform, he nurtured the dream of joining the Armed Forces from a young age. After his schooling he cleared the competitive examination for the National Defence Academy, where he underwent rigorous military and leadership training before proceeding to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. At the age of 21 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the 10 Dogra Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, a distinguished infantry regiment with a rich legacy of valour. Over the years, Major Gurpreet Singh matured into a highly capable and respected officer, admired for his professionalism, sincerity, and soldierly skills. His calm composure under pressure made him a dependable leader. After an earlier tenure with his parent unit in the Poonch sector, he was deputed to the 11 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, deployed in the Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations in the volatile Kishtwar sector. On 18 October 1999, intelligence reported a group of heavily armed hardcore militants in the Kishtwar–Doda sector. Major Gurpreet Singh was entrusted with leading a deliberate operation to neutralise the threat. On the morning of 19 October 1999 he led his team into the suspected area and launched a cordon and search operation across difficult, thickly vegetated terrain. When the cornered militants opened fire, a fierce gun battle ensued. Leading from the front and directing his men with precision, Major Gurpreet Singh was struck by a bullet and grievously wounded. Refusing to withdraw, he continued to motivate his troops until he collapsed, and later succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice at the age of 27.