Who was Colonel Manpreet Singh, Army officer killed in action in Anantnag

New Delhi: Two Indian Army officers and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Sep 14. One of the brave hearts was Colonel Manpreet Singh of 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalion.

Col Singh is survived by his wife, a six-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. A combat veteran he was awarded a Sena Medal during his tenure as second-in-command of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, a battalion tasked with ensuring security in South Anantnag, Kokernag and Verinag Achabal including its higher reaches, which have been highly infested with terrorists especially foreign mercenaries in the past.

After his promotion in 2021 as a Colonel, Singh was given a choice to opt for peace area posting.

“No Sir, I would like to be posted in my 19 RR (Rashtriya Rifles) and be with my own men,” was his prompt response, politely rejecting the offer that had been made to him.

Col Singh always wanted to lead from the front and the reason generally given by him was “I have to ensure that every one under my command is safe.”

A sports enthusiast, Col Singh always believed in upliftment of youth and engaged them in sports activities.

On September 9, just four days before his death, a volleyball championship was organized in which he also took part.

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