In commemoration of the 60th death anniversary of Captain Chander Narain Singh, Maha Vir Chakra awardee (Posthumous), the martyr’s family presented his gallantry and service medals to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
Hailing from the 2nd Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, the officer attained martyrdom during the India-Pakistan War of 1965. During a ceremony organised at Dharamshala on Tuesday, Sukhdev Singh, the brother of the late officer, handed over the gallantry medals to Lieutenant General DS Rana, Colonel of the Garhwal Rifles & Garhwal Scouts and Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), on behalf of the Regiment.
In his address, Lt Gen DS Rana paid rich tributes to Captain Chander Narain Singh, describing him as a true symbol of bravery, leadership, and patriotism. He expressed deep gratitude to the family for entrusting the Regiment with the officer’s medals and affirmed that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations of Indian soldiers.
Captain Chander Narain Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his exceptional bravery and leadership during the India-Pakistan War of 1965. Born on 7 July 1939 in Shikarpur, Garhwal (then in Uttar Pradesh), he was attached to Headquarters 120 Infantry Brigade when, on 5 August 1965, reports emerged of over 100 enemy infiltrators in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
Tasked with verifying the threat, Captain Singh led a patrol to a high-altitude region at 4,000 feet. While clearing the area, his team came under heavy enemy fire and grenade attacks. Undeterred, and despite being outnumbered, he chose to launch a night assault. In the ensuing encounter, his small team neutralised six enemy soldiers and injured several others, forcing the rest to retreat. Even after sustaining a head injury from enemy fire during a counterattack, Captain Singh continued to lead his men and refused evacuation, ultimately laying down his life in the line of duty.
For his unmatched courage, valour, and unwavering commitment to the mission, Captain Chander Narain Singh was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award.
A statement from the Army spokesperson said that the medals presented by the family of the braveheart will be preserved and displayed at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre Museum in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand.