Colonel Manpreet Singh, who was killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag in September 2023, was among the posthumous awardees of the Kirti Chakra on this Independence Day.

Besides Colonel Manpreet Singh, three other personnel were awarded Kirti Chakra, including two from the Army. The other two recipients from the Indian Army include rifleman Ravi Kumar and Major M Naidu.

Colonel Manpreet Singh was a Commanding Officer of the Rashtriya Rifles. Colonel Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchak of the 19th Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Humayun Muzamil Bhat, lost their lives following a gunfight that broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

The Army officers were leading the troops on a search for terrorists in the area based on specific intelligence. As they climbed atop a building, terrorists hiding inside the structure opened fire. Colonel Singh lost his life on the spot, while the other two officials received gunshots and were airlifted to a hospital in Srinagar where they succumbed to their injuries.

Colonel Manpreet Singh is survived by his wife Jagmeet Kaur, a school teacher, and their children, aged six and two.

Tune In