Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 25

Para commando Sandeep Singh lived and died for the country. The 30-year-old Lance Naik displayed exemplary bravery when he killed two infiltrators single-handedly before laying down his life on the Line of Control in the dense Tangdhar forests in Kupwara district.At least five militants suspected to be foreigners were killed during the three-day-long counter-infiltration operation that began on Saturday at Tangdhar.

Army sources said Lance Naik Sandeep Singh of Special Forces led a search party which launched the operation in the Gagadhri Nar area of Tangdhar on September 22 after an input about infiltration was received. The combing was jointly carried out by the 4 Para commandos and 20 Jat Regiment.“On noticing suspicious movement, Sandeep deployed his squad and moved further to ascertain the presence of militants. He encountered two terrorists at close quarters and a fierce gunfight ensued in which he neutralised both militants. During this daredevil act, he sustained a gunshot wound in his head and succumbed to his injuries as he was being evacuated,” the sources said.

An officer privy to the operation details said the commando ensured the safety of his own squad of the Special Forces. “With utter disregard for his personal safety and upon noticing that his squad was in danger, the commando eliminated two hardcore foreign militants, ensuring the safety of his four-member squad and the subsequent elimination of all three terrorists,” he said.

Lance Naik Sandeep Singh, a resident of the Kotla Khurd area of Gurdaspur in Punjab, is survived by his wife. He had joined the Army in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Army on Tuesday paid a befitting tribute to the commando in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment. Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt and all ranks paid homage to the slain commando on behalf of a proud nation.