Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh was born to Shri Omvir Singh and Shrimati Rajas. He belonged to Devrala village in the Bulandshahar district of Uttar Pradesh. Neeraj joined the Indian army in the famed regiment of the Rajputana Rifles. After serving for some time in his regiment, Naik Neeraj was deputed to serve in the 57 Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, deployed in J&K for anti-terrorist operations.
| Service Number | 16012114 A |
| Place of Birth | Uttar Pradesh |
| Rank | Naik |
| Unit | 57 Rashtriya Rifles |
| Regiment | Rajputana Rifles |
| Award | Ashok Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 24th August 2014 |
On the 24th of August 2014, Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh was part of a team of 57 Rashtriya Rifles which had launched a search and destroy operation at Kupwara. When the army troops came close to the terrorists in the Dhok area, the militants started firing indiscriminately on the soldiers. In the ensuing gun battle, Naik Neeraj’s buddy took a hit on his bulletproof jacket. Immediately, Naik Neeraj crawled and disregarding his safety extricated his buddy to safety. By the time one of the terrorists targeted Naik Neeraj and started throwing grenades and firing at him. Undeterred, in a defiant action, he moved closer to the terrorist and shot him dead. Meanwhile, another terrorist took a shot at him which injured him very badly, forcing him to drop his rifle down. However, in a display of rare courage, Naik Neeraj pounced on the terrorist, snatched his weapon, and killed him in hand-to-hand combat. Naik Neeraj was severely injured in the attack, yet he refused to be evacuated till he lost his consciousness. Later, he was taken to the 92 Base hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Naik Neeraj Kumar was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ‘Ashok Chakra’ for his exceptional bravery, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice.
