Colonel Manpreet Singh was a distinguished officer of the Indian Army whose life reflected leadership, courage and an unwavering commitment to duty. Born in 1982, he came from a military family in Punjab. His father, Late Naik Lakhmeer Singh, had served in the Army, while his grandfather Sheetal Singh and uncle Ranjit Singh had also served in uniform. Colonel Manpreet grew up with the values of discipline and service that would eventually shape his own military career.
After completing his education, he joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the 12 Sikh Light Infantry in June 2005. He subsequently served with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, a unit deployed for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Colonel Manpreet served as the Second-in-Command of 19 Rashtriya Rifles before taking over as its Commanding Officer. By 2023, he had accumulated nearly two decades of military service and had earned the respect of his men through his professional ability and leadership.
His years with the Rashtriya Rifles placed him at the forefront of demanding counter-terrorism operations in south Kashmir. He was known for leading his troops from the front and for his commitment to the mission even in difficult and dangerous circumstances. His earlier gallantry had also been recognised with the Sena Medal.
The Kokernag Operation and Supreme Sacrifice
On 13 September 2023, security forces launched a joint counter-terrorism operation in the dense forests around Gadool in Kokernag, Anantnag, following specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists. Colonel Manpreet Singh was leading the 19 Rashtriya Rifles team during the operation. As the troops located the suspected hideout, terrorists opened heavy fire in an attempt to escape.
Colonel Manpreet immediately responded to the threat and continued to lead his men from the front. According to the official gallantry citation, he returned fire towards the escaping terrorists and reorganised his team to block their escape routes. He continued engaging the terrorists despite the intense exchange of fire. During the engagement, he sustained a severe gunshot wound to the forehead and made the supreme sacrifice. His conduct during the operation reflected extraordinary courage, leadership and devotion to duty.
His martyrdom was a profound loss to the Indian Army, his unit and his family. He left behind his wife, Jagmeet Kaur, and their young children. Those who served with him remembered a commanding officer who led by personal example and placed the safety and mission of his men above his own.
In recognition of his exceptional courage and leadership during the Kokernag operation, Colonel Manpreet Singh was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
Colonel Manpreet Singh's legacy lives on through the soldiers he led, the unit he commanded and the example he set through a life devoted to the nation. His story is one of leadership under fire, courage in the face of danger and an enduring commitment to duty. He remains remembered with the highest honour for the sacrifice he made in the service of India.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Colonel Manpreet Singh, Kirti Chakra (Posthumous), for his courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation
Lest We Forget.
