Dr Bharat Bhushan
Our country has been bestowed with birth of thousands of warriors who laid down their lives while safeguarding the integrity and sovereignty of motherland.
Martyr Piar Singh is among numerous unsung heros who laid precious life in the line of duty while serving in the Glaciers at an altitude of 17,750 feet.
Naik Piar Singh was born on April 10, 1974, in Kukey Chak, Kathua. He joined Indian Army on October 25, 1993 and joined 17 Jammu Kashmir Rifles unit. After completing his training, he was initially posted to Ferozpur Cantonment and later transferred to Maheshwar, Samba. In 1999, he married Sukhwinder Kour, and they welcomed their first child, Harmandeep Kour, in 2001, followed by their second child, Jashandeep, in 2003.
He was deployed to the Glacier region in July 2003 after spending a few years in Samba. On December 29, 2003, he was stationed in Central Glacier at an altitude of 17,750 feet.
On the night of January 14, 2004, he volunteered to guide a party along a perilous route. At approximately 9:25 PM, a severe tremor triggered an avalanche. Upon hearing the ominous sound of the avalanche, Naik Piar Singh immediately turned back to warn and assist his colleagues who were following him.
Despite the imminent danger, he chose to prioritize the safety of his team over his own. As his five colleagues lost their footing and began sliding downhill, Naik Piar Singh made a heroic attempt to save them by warning them and trying to hold onto them. Tragically, during this selfless act, he was caught in the avalanche. While his fellow soldiers survived due to his bravery and timely warning, Naik Piar Singh made the ultimate sacrifice in true accordance with the noble traditions of the Indian Army. His body was recovered and returned to his home town three days after his demise.
He was awarded the SENA MEDAL (Gallantry) on 26 January 2005, by Northern Command Lieutenant General Deepak Kapoor in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir for his couregens and selfless act.
The then Union Minister of State for Defence, Govt. of India, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta attended Naik Piar Singh’s funeral and announced plans to construct a gate in honour of the Martyr.
Keeping his promise, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Union Minister of State for defence provided funds for the construction of a Memorial Gate in honour of the Martyr Piar Singh as a mark of respect and symbol of inspiration for coming generations.
The Memorial Gate was constructed in the year 2005 during my stint as Block Development Officer, Kathua. Since then, the family and admirers of brave soldier has been gathering at memorial on 14th January every year to pay homage and floral tributes to great son of the soil.
In the year 2015, myself in the capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority took up the matter with Station Headquarter, Lakhanpur to commorate the day. The Station Commander was generous enough and he coordinated impressive memorial function at the site in 2015 and thereafter.
This year too, the citizens of Kathua, family members and friends of Late Martyr Piar Singh are assembled at the Memorial Gate near Kukey Chak, Gurudwara Sahib to pay their tearful homage to the brave son of the soil. The road from Kukey Chak Gurudwara Sahib to Changran Village has been declared as Martyr Piar Singh Road.
(The writer is Member, Legislative Assembly Kathua)
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