The India-China stand-off has brought one important thing to the forefront – how the Indian Armed Forces fight on the borders to ensure we stay safe within the country.

The Galwan valley clash martyred 20 of our soldiers, but they ensured that there is no land grabbing by the Chinese troops. Amongst them was 3 Punjab’s Ghatak Platoon’s, Gurtej Singh. He fought against all the odds and despite losing his own life for it, took down 12 Chinese soldiers. This is his story.
Twenty-three-year-old Gurtej Singh hailed from Beerewala village in Punjab’s Mansa district. He joined the Army in December 2018. He had always been keen to serve the army, and the dream came true when he joined the Sikh regiment.
On the evening of 15 June 2020, the 16^th Bihar regiment was posted in the valley and came under immense fire. The 3 Punjab’s Ghatak Platoon was called upon to reinforce the outmanoeuvred fighters. The Medium Arty regiment’s Sikh gunners rushed out to help to carry their customary kirpan and an assortment of sticks, rods and sharp knives only.

Sources from the military state that four Chinese soldiers attacked Singh. He swung around two of them, and as two others tried to pin him down, he dragged all four of them towards the cliff and flung them over. He lost his balance though and slipped. But he got stuck in a boulder that stopped his free fall.

Though he was injured severely in the neck and head, he rewrapped his turban and pulled himself back to the fight. He used his kirpan to fight more soldiers until he could snatch a sharp weapon from a Chinese soldier. He further took down seven Chinese soldiers making the tally to 11 before one stabbed him from behind. But before going down, he killed his final 12^th enemy with his kirpan too.
His mortal remains reached home on 19 June 2020 where the final rites were conducted amidst full military honours. Leaders of military and government paid their homage to this braveheart. Slogans of ‘Gurtej Singh Amar Rahe’ and ‘Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal’ were heard from the many villagers from in and around his native village.

His father said, “There’s the grief of losing a son, but I also feel proud of the fact that he laid down his life for the country.” He is survived by his father Virsa Singh, mother Parkash Kaur and two elder brothers. He was supposed to attend his brother’s wedding a week prior but decided to stay back at his post as the situation in Galwan valley was tense.

Gurtej Singh might not be there anymore amongst us, but it is inspiring and a lesson for today’s youth. We salute the braveheart for his sacrifice.