Serving the country was his motto (1974-2003)
Udai Singh was born on 7 October 1974, in Allahabad. He had his early education in St Patrick School, Deolali, and Army Public School (APS), Delhi. He passed his higher secondary examination from APS, Dagshai. He was not keen on academics, but was good in sports and extracurricular activities. The Principal told his mother that her son had tremendous leadership qualities. He joined Taj Mansingh Hotel as a trainee after graduating with honours in political science from Deshbandhu College, Delhi. He did not like to work in the hotel industry and decided to follow his father’s profession of military service. He joined the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and was commissioned into the unit of his choice – 1 Para Commando on 6 June 1997. His father, Colonel K. K. K. Singh was also a paratrooper. He looked forward to his service in a commando unit. In a neatly folded napkin found in his diary and returned to his father, he had written:
“Being a commando in the Indian army and leading men into the jaws of death will make my soul rest in peace one day! Because when the great scorer comes to mark against my name for all that I did, I will be a proud man who served this country and a cause for which so many brave Indian men laid down their lives”.
He served in the Northeast from 1997 to 1999, and in Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) for the remaining period. Ever keen for adventure, he volunteered for the Special Forces after five years of service and wrote in his diary, “I dedicate my life to the Special Forces and I promise to make my country, family, friends and myself proud.”
In 2001, he was attached to the Vikas Regiment, comprising high altitude specialists of Tibetan origin. He completed his free fall jumps and attended a deep sea diving course. He participated in the Kargil War and was then back to fighting the terrorists in Kupwara and Rajouri areas. Seeking and neutralising terrorists was a religion with him. He loved what he did, never regretting even for a moment his choice of army as a career. It was all that he wished it to be. Army was his heart and soul.
On 1 July 2002, the presence of terrorists was reported in Danti forest in Thanamandi area. Udai was tasked to neutralise them. At 10.30 hours, the scout observed terrorist movement and killed one terrorist. Captain Udai Singh closed on the terrorist group using the cover of thick forests, which restricted visibility. Udai Singh ruthlessly pursued them single handedly with extreme courage, tenacity, excellent marksmanship and tactical acumen under fire, killing two more terrorists in close quarter combat. Captain Udai Singh was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for displaying conspicuous bravery, exemplary leadership and raw courage.
Udai Singh well realised that the terrorists had the support of ground workers for intelligence and logistics support in Rajouri area, and decided to disrupt it. He commenced operations by launching a ‘search and destroy’ operation in the general area at 0300hrs on 29 November 2003. At 1745 hours, while laying an ambush, they came across a group of terrorists who were firing from a higher piece of ground. They were just about ten metres away. Udai received a gun shot wound in his neck and his buddy received multiple gun shot wounds. With little care for his own safety, Udai continued to engage the enemy, killing one terrorist and wounding another.
He then helped extricating his fatally injured buddy before succumbing to his injuries. Major Udai Singh displayed indomitable courage and exemplary leadership in fighting the terrorists. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra (posthumous).
He was cremated with full military honours in Delhi Cantonment. Amongst those present were the Chief of Army Staff, senior military officers, family, friends and members of general public. The army band played a soulful tune with bugles followed by rifle shots. The national flag was taken off and presented to the officer’s grandfather. Many of the friends and relations broke down. His parents have established the ‘Udai Public Charitable Trust’. The Trust endeavours to provide education and support to the children of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.
He lived by the motto of the Special Forces: “You are occupying too much space on mother earth, if you are not living on the edge.”