Sohan Singh

Biography

Sohan Singh was born into an agrarian family in Rauwal village, Sidhwan Bet tehsil, Ludhiana district, Punjab, to Shri Dhian Singh. Inspired from childhood by tales of sacrifice in service of the nation, he enlisted in the Indian Army and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry, a regiment with a proud tradition of courage in battle. In April 1965 his battalion was involved in the Rann of Kutch confrontation, where Indian troops stood their ground against Pakistan's Operation Desert Hawk and defended the forward positions around Sardar Post with grit and discipline. Later that year, as hostilities escalated into the full Indo-Pak War of 1965, his unit was moved into active operations against Pakistani regulars. On 13 October 1965, during a fierce gun battle against an entrenched enemy position, Lance Naik Sohan Singh pressed forward with his section under heavy fire. He fought with characteristic bravery and determination until he was struck by enemy fire and laid down his life in the highest tradition of the Indian Army.