Sombir Singh (1982-2019) was a soldier in the Indian Army who was awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal during peacetime, the Shaurya Chakra, for his role in combating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He passed away after he got shot during an anti-terrorist operation in 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir. In January 2024, it was announced that actor Barun Sobti would portray Sombir Singh’s role in the second season of the series Rakshak- India’s Braves.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Sombir Singh Kadyan was born on Thursday, 4 February 1982 (age 37 years; at the time of death) in Mithi village, Siwani Tehsil, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. Sombir completed his schooling at a government-run school in his village following which he got selected as a recruit in the Indian Army. He later reported at the Jat Regimental Center (JRC) in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, where he underwent military training till 2001.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family & Caste
Sombir Singh Kadyan belongs to a Hindu Jat family in the Bhiwani district, Haryana.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Sher Singh Kadyan, is a retired soldier of the Indian Army. His mother’s name is Rajendri Devi.
Wife & Children
His wife, Suman Devi, is a government official. He has two daughters and a son. One of his daughters’ names is Priya Singh.
Suman Devi and the mother of Sombir Singh at an event
Religion
Sombir Singh followed Hinduism.
Career
Sombir Singh Kadyan joined the 8th Battalion of the Jat Regiment as a sepoy after completing his military training in Bareilly in 2001. Owing to his leadership qualities, he went on to become a naib subedar, also known as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), in the same battalion. After becoming a naib subedar, Kadyan was posted to Jammu and Kashmir, where he became a part of the 34 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion and helped the battalion in curbing terrorism in Kulgam. With his battalion, he undertook numerous counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir.
Operation Rakshak
This operation was started by the Indian Army in the mid-1990s to eliminate militancy in Kashmir. On 24 February 2019, Sombir’s battalion received the news of the presence of three heavily armed militants in Turigam village in Kulgam. Soon after, the battalion sent Sombir along with some other troops to neutralise the militants. Sombir was part of the assault team that was ordered to kill the militants. While conducting a combat and search operation in the village, the militants opened fire on the assault team. Sombir directed the troops that were under his command and retaliated to the militants effectively. According to sources, he then laid an ambush at several locations in the village to prevent the militants from escaping; however, a militant opened fire on the troops as a result of which Sombir’s fellow soldier got grievously wounded. To protect his fellow soldier from getting killed, Sombir left the cover of his safety, opened fire on the militant, and managed to kill him. It was later determined the killed militant was of foreign origin and was of the A++ category. In the process, Sombir was hit by two bullets as a result of which he died. [1]Business Standard
Military Accolades
In January 2020, for his gallant actions, Sombir Singh Kadyan was awarded the nation’s third-highest peacetime medal, the Shaurya Chakra, posthumously.
Sombir Singh’s wife receiving the Shaurya Chakra from President Ram Nath Kovind in January 2020
Salary
Sombir Singh earned a salary of Rs. 35,400 + other allowances as a Naib Subedar. [2]DNA
Death
Sombir Singh died on 24 February 2019 at the age of 37 years in Jammu and Kashmir after he received two gunshot wounds, one to the neck and the other to the chest, during an anti-insurgency operation. After getting fatally wounded in Kulgam, he was airlifted to the 92 Base Hospital in the Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, where he passed away. [3]The Government of India In an interview, his daughter, Priya, talked about his death and said,
It is a proud moment for our family that my martyr father has been awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously for showing courage while fighting with militants. Today, I can say proudly that I am a daughter of a shaheed fauji. It is very difficult to spend life without a father, but he went beyond his duty as a father by sacrificing his life for the nation. I want to say that the government should take care of martyrs’ families from time to time.”
Chinar Corps Commander paying homage to Sombir Singh after his death
Facts/Trivia
- After Sombir Singh Kadyan passed away in 2019, the Haryana government gave the bereaved family members an ex gratia check for Rs. 2 lac and announced that Suman Devi, his wife, would be given a government job based on her educational qualifications.
- In January 2024, it was revealed that Barun Sobti would portray the character of Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Kadyan in Rakshak – India’s Braves Chapter 2. While giving an interview, Barun talked about it and said,
I am filled with a profound sense of accomplishment and gratitude. It is a great responsibility to play the role of an individual who sacrificed his life for the nation. It is truly an honour to portray the role of Naib Subedar Sombir Singh and share his brave story through Rakshak – India’s Braves.”
Barun Sobti as Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Kadyan on the poster of the second season of Rakshak – India’s Braves
References
| ↑1 | Business Standard |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | DNA |
| ↑3 | The Government of India |
