Major Laishram Jyotin Singh's act of valour saved the lives of two officers, four paramedics and two Afghan civilians from a suicide bomber who targeted the guesthouse in Kabul where he was residing
Bengaluru: The annals of India's military history narrate innumerable tales of valour. Many brave officers and soldiers have laid down their lives to protect the country's honour and prestige. One such hero is Major Laishram Jyotin Singh.
Born in 1972, Major Singh was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps in February 2003. He was granted permanent commission in April 2007 and posted with the Indian embassy in Kabul in February 2006. On February 13, 2010, Major Singh was sent on deputation to the Indian Medical Mission at Kabul in Afghanistan.
On the 13th day of his posting, on February 26, 2010, at 6.30 AM, the Noor guesthouse in Kabul where Major Singh was residing came under attack from a heavily-armed suicide bomber.
The terrorist detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) in which three perimeter guards were killed. Shortly after, the terrorist shot dead the guesthouse owner.
In the melee, five unarmed officers had taken shelter in one of the rooms. The terrorist then attacked the room with grenades, which set the roof ablaze.
On hearing the shouts of help, Major Singh, unmindful of his own safety, emerged from his room and charged at the suicide bomber with bare hands.
Major Singh pinned the terrorist to the ground.
He continued to grapple with the terrorist till the latter panicked and detonated his vest.
Major Singh succumbed to his injuries, but his act of valour saved the lives of two officers, four paramedics and two Afghan civilians within the compound.
Maj Singh displayed gallantry and commitment beyond the call of his duty and laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. He was decorated with the country's highest peacetime gallantry medal, Ashok Chakra, posthumously on the 62nd Republic Day.
Flags of Honour remembers Major Laishram Jyotin Singh for his fearless act, camaraderie, and supreme sacrifice.
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