Surinder Singh, VrC

Biography

Born into a military family as the son of Lt Colonel MS Labana, Major Surinder Singh was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles after attending the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. During Operation Pawan on 5 June 1989, he led an assault with 15 soldiers on a suspected LTTE hideout in Puttur. He personally shot two militants and pursued the fleeing fighters. When an injured militant fired at point-blank range, causing a serious chest injury, he turned around, shot the militant dead and continued the chase until he collapsed. He refused medical attention and directed his troops to continue operations, resulting in another militant being killed. For his conspicuous gallantry and valour he was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.