Neeraj Kumar Singh

Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, AC was a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the Indian Army who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime military decoration on 26 January 2015. He had enlisted in the 13th battalion, Rajputana Rifles and was serving in the 57th battalion Rashtriya Rifles when he was killed in action.

While leading a search operation at Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir on 24 August 2014, Singh came under heavy fire from terrorists. He rescued an injured soldier and shot one of the terrorists dead.

Early life Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh hailed from Devrala village in Bulandshahar district of Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Shri Omvir Singh and Shrimati Rajas. His father was a farmer. He had three more siblings.

Military career Neeraj Kumar Singh had enlisted in the 13 Battalion of Rajputana Rifles in Indian Army . He was deputed to serve in the 57 Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles for anti-terrorist operations after serving for in his regiment. For his bravery, courage and self sacrifice he was posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.

Ashoka Chakra awardee

Neeraj Kumar Singh's wife receives the Ashok Chakra from president Pranab Mukherjee on 26 January 2015.

He was awarded India's Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award- Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2015, Republic Day. His award citation reads:

Personal life He loved his military life. He even wished that his two sons Kunal and Lovepita could also become army officers. Naik Neeraj Kumar is survived by his parents, wife Parameshwari and two sons, Kunal and Lovepita.