Sanjay Singh, SM

Biography

Sanjay Singh was born on 24 April 1968 to Maheshwari Prasad and Susheela Devi. He was a bright and disciplined student, completing both his graduation and post-graduation by the age of 21 from Pandit Lalit Mohan Sharma College, Rishikesh, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Education from DAV College, Dehradun, in 1990. He cleared the Combined Defence Services examination and was commissioned into the 26th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment after training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, with the 52 Course. A natural soldier, he excelled in commando training and was known for his exceptional marksmanship and leadership under pressure. On 30 May 1996 he married Rashmi Singh, and the couple made their home in Dehradun. On 15 September 1997, during Operation Khoj in the Kopra forest near Thana Mandi in Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir, Major Sanjay Singh led his column in pursuit of a group of heavily armed terrorists. At approximately 1330 hours he made contact with the militants and, leading from the front, engaged them in a fierce close-quarter firefight. He personally eliminated two terrorists before being struck by AK-47 fire and succumbing to his injuries at the age of 29. For his exemplary courage, cool-headed leadership, and supreme sacrifice, Major Sanjay Singh was awarded the Sena Medal on 15 August 1998. A road in Shanti Vihar, Dehradun, has been named "Shaheed Major Sanjay Singh Marg" in his honour.