Makhan Singh, SC

Biography

Makhan Singh served with the Armoured Corps and was deployed with 33 Rashtriya Rifles for counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir. On 9 April 2002, during a search-and-destroy mission in Gutlibagh Forest, Sowar Makhan Singh was leading a Quick Reaction Team as scout when he spotted two terrorists below a rocky cliff. The terrorists immediately opened fire and attempted to flee. Without hesitation, he jumped down the cliff, engaged and killed the first terrorist with his weapon. Despite sustaining injuries to his neck and hand, he pursued the second terrorist, disarmed him in hand-to-hand combat, and eliminated him. He succumbed to his wounds during evacuation. For his exceptional courage and supreme sacrifice, Sowar Makhan Singh was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.