Amit Singh

Biography

Lieutenant Amit Singh was born on 28 June 1979 in Harpur Mahmada village of Samastipur district, Bihar. He studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hebbal, Bangalore, where he excelled in academics and took an active part in extracurricular activities. A natural leader, he became the school's "Head Boy" and earned wide praise. As his school stood close to an Air Force establishment, his interest in the armed forces grew with age. Following his passion, he was selected for the prestigious National Defence Academy, joining NDA Khadakwasla in 1996 and passing out in 1999. He then proceeded to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 3 June 2000 at the age of 20, joining the 1st Battalion of the 9 Gorkha Rifles. Soon after joining, he honed his field-craft skills and gained confidence in operations. In 2000 his unit was deployed in Kupwara district, Jammu & Kashmir, as part of Operation Rakshak in a highly volatile, infiltration-prone area. On 3 September 2000, acting on intelligence, his team launched an operation in the dense forests of Panzgam, Kupwara, and cordoned off a suspected hideout. In the ensuing firefight, Lieutenant Amit Singh was hit by several bullets while leading his men from the front and was grievously wounded, later laying down his life at the age of 21.