NAIK RAM SWAROOP SINGH

Naik Ram Swaroop Singh was born on 6th May 1966 to Shri Nagramal Mundariya and Smt Manohari Devi. He joined the army after completing his school education. He was recruited into 17 Jat of the well-known Jat Regiment. In July 1999, Naik Ram Swaroop Singh’s unit 17 Jat was deployed in J & K along the LOC. In May 1999, the Indian Army detected a massive infiltration by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Kargil region.   

The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. 17 Jat battalion too got deployed as part of ‘Op Vijay’ launched by the Army in response to Pakistan’s aggression. As part of operations in the area, 17 Jat was tasked to secure Pt. 4875, also known as Pimple II. Naik Ram Swaroop Singh was part of the Company which was given the task to secure the peak without waiting for any aerial support on 7th July 1999. During the initial phase of the assault on Pt. 4875, one of the officers Major Ritesh Sharma got injured and was evacuated. After the initial setback, the assault team split into two groups, one led by Captain Vikram Batra and the other by Captain Nayyar. The Pakistani infiltrators had constructed several bunkers on Pt. 4875 and Captain Nayyar’s team, which consisted of 7 personnel, located 4 enemy bunkers. The company began to ascend Pt. 4875 during which it came under heavy artillery and mortar fire from Pakistani infiltrators. However, the troops counter-attacked, which also included hand-to-hand combat, forcing the Pakistani soldiers to retreat. During the battle, Naik Ram Swaroop Singh and his comrades killed 9 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed three medium machine gun bunkers. However, during the fierce exchange of fire Naik Ram Swaroop Singh received gunshots and was seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.   

Naik Ram Swaroop Singh was a gallant soldier, who laid down his life in the service of the nation, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army.