Naik Arvind Prasad Singh of the Indian Army made the supreme sacrifice on 29 October 1997 while serving in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Rakshak.
A Soldier Dedicated to Service
Born on 19 January 1963, Singh hailed from Lodipur village in the Nagar Nausa subdivision of Bihar’s Nalanda district. He joined the Indian Army on 20 December 1981 and served with the 157 Light Air Defence Regiment. His military career took him through different postings and operational assignments, including service in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Banihal Incident
During Operation Rakshak, soldiers in the Banihal area were tasked with securing important routes and checking for threats that could endanger military movement. Road-opening parties carried out these duties in an environment where explosive devices posed a serious risk.
On 29 October 1997, Singh was part of a road-opening party assigned to sanitise a stretch of National Highway 1A near Banihal. During the movement, an improvised explosive device struck the vehicle carrying the soldiers. Singh sustained serious injuries in the blast.
He was evacuated for medical treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
Remembering His Sacrifice
Singh’s death was a loss to his family and fellow soldiers. He was survived by his wife, Rajmani Devi, and their children. His son later followed his father into military service.
Naik Arvind Prasad Singh is remembered for his years of service and the supreme sacrifice he made while carrying out a road-security task during Operation Rakshak. His story reflects the dangers faced by soldiers protecting vital routes and military movements in Jammu and Kashmir.
