20 October 1988 | A tribute to courage and duty
On 20 October 1988, Sepoy Rajbir Singh of 4 Jat Regiment made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. He was one of five soldiers of the battalion who lost their lives when a rail-opening party was ambushed while carrying out its assigned task.
Service With the Indian Army
Sepoy Rajbir Singh served with 4 Jat Regiment during the Indian Army's deployment in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The deployment followed the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1987. As the operational situation deteriorated, Indian soldiers faced the continuing danger of ambushes and attacks while carrying out their duties.
The Incident
On 20 October 1988, a rail-opening party operating in Sri Lanka came under an ambush. The incident resulted in the supreme sacrifice of five soldiers from 4 Jat Regiment, including Sepoy Rajbir Singh.
Available regimental-history material records his name, unit and date of sacrifice. Further details of his early life, family and individual actions during the incident require additional documentary verification and have not been included here.
A Name Preserved in Remembrance
Sepoy Rajbir Singh's sacrifice forms part of the history of Indian soldiers who served during Operation Pawan. His remembrance also honours the other soldiers who lost their lives in the same incident and the families who continue to carry their memory.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Sepoy Rajbir Singh of 4 Jat Regiment, who made the supreme sacrifice on 20 October 1988. His service and sacrifice remain worthy of lasting respect.
