Shanghara Singh

Lance Naik Shanghara Singh was born on 21 August 1950 in Chola Sahib village, Amritsar district, Punjab, India to Shri Ranga Singh and Smt Dhan Kaur.

Lance Naik Shanghara Singh was recruited into the 2th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment on 14 January 1963.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Lance Naik Shanghara Singh's unit was deployed in Amritsar sector on the western front. The Indian village Pul Kanjri located on high ground close to the International Border, was attacked and captured by Pakistani forces. The 2 Sikh battalion was tasked to recapture the village.

On 17 December 1971, when the attack on Pul Kanjri commenced, the Pakistani position was surrounded by anti-personal and anti tank mines and a number of Machine guns. L/Nk Shanghara Singh's unit came under heavy enemy fire. He realized that the enemy machine guns were a great threat and had to be neutralized in order to meet the objective.

Completely disregarding his personal safety, L/Nk Shanghara Singh charged through the minefield at the first machine post and hurled a grenade inside the bunker, thus neutralising it. Then he charged the second machine gun post and snatched the machine gun physically by his hand. This daring move by L/Nk Shanghara Singh caused the Pakistani forces to panic and flee the battle, abandoning their machine guns. The neutralising of the machine guns enabled the completion of the objective and Pul Kanjri was retaken.

However, during the battle, Lance Naik Shanghara Singh received a burst of fire and was grievously wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. He displayed exemplary bravery and dedication to duty in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice, for which Lance Naik Shanghara Singh was awarded the "Maha Vir Chakra", the nation's second highest gallantry award.[2][3]