Young Army officer gets Ashok Chakra posthumously

New Delhi: Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, who displayed his indomitable spirit, determination and exceptional bravery while putting down the terrorists and making the supreme sacrifice for the nation, on Thursday conferred with the highest gallantry award.

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh laid down his life fighting terrorists during an anti-infiltration operation along LOC in Gurez Sector of north Kashmir. He was awarded the Ashok Chakra on the Republic Day.

President Pratibha Patil presented the medal to the officer posthumously at the Republic Day parade in capital on Thursday.

Earlier, the President approved awards of 368 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 63rd Republic Day Celebrations.

This includes one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 73 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, six Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 45 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, four Yudh Seva Medal, three Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), six Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals and 115 Vishisht Seva Medals.

In addition a total of three Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced for participating in Operation Rakshak.

The story of Lieutenant Navdeep Singh:

On receiving information about the infiltration of a group of terrorists at about 0030 hours on 20 August 2011, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh gauged the likely route of the terrorists and laid an ambush at the appropriate spot. When the terrorists were spotted, the ambush was sprung by the officer himself. An exchange of intense fire ensued.

Leading from the front, the officer eliminated three terrorists at close range. On seeing another terrorist approaching their position, with utter disregard to his personal safety, the officer swiftly changed his firing position. While doing so, he got hit by a bullet on his head. He nevertheless managed to eliminate the fourth terrorist. Further, displaying utmost bravery and comradeship, he pulled an injured fellow-soldier to safety and kept firing till he became unconscious due to excessive blood loss.