Influential Figures

The Lionhearted Subedar Major Fateh Singh: His Legacy

Many of the heroic and brave acts of mankind are unsung, mainly those of our fearless and dauntless soldiers. The airbase station at Pathankot was attacked on January 2, 2016, by heavily armed terrorists. The gun battle, which resulted for more than 50 hours, claimed the lives of many of our defense forces personnel.

One of them martyred in the struggle to defend his motherland was Subedar Major Fateh Singh. Subedar Major Fateh Singh was an ex-army serviceman. During the combing operations in Pathankot, Major Fateh Singh was killed by the terrorists. He was a part of the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Armed Forces. Since his childhood, Fateh wanted to serve the nation. After completing his schooling, Fateh Singh joined the Indian Armed Forces.

Subedar Major Fateh Singh was an exceptional shooter in the Indian Army. He had represented India at numerous international level competitions in shooting. Fateh Singh was a big bore shooter (300m) and was one of the star performers during the First Commonwealth Shooting Championship held in New Delhi in 1995. Subedar Singh had clinched silver in the Big Rifle Prone Position event and gold in the Big Bore Rifle Three Position event.

As a Defense Security Corps (DSC) soldier, Subedar Major Fateh Singh was fighting alongside the National Security Guards and with the Indian Air Force against the terrorists in Pathankot. Subedar Major Fateh Singh and Havildar Kulwant Singh lost their lives while combating the terrorists in defense of the air station. Major Fateh Singh was an extremely passionate person. He was a part of the Marksmanship unit of the Indian Army in Mhow for many years. Even after retiring from the Dogra regiment of the Indian Army in 2009, he served our nation as security personnel of the Defense Security Corps. Till 2014, Singh was commissioned in Mhow but was later posted in Pathankot.

Not only was Subedar Singh an exceptional shooter, but also a great athlete. Subedar Major Fateh Singh was the chief mentor and coach of the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. Subedar Singh, a guide and teacher for many budding big bore shooters, was very disciplined and faithful towards his service. Major Fateh Singh was a thorough gentleman and a visionary man. He was always known to encourage his fellow soldiers and colleagues with his invaluable experience. Subedar Major Fateh Singh is the epitome of lion-heartedness.

Our nation has lost one of its sharpest and foremost big-bore shooters and mentor, Subedar Major Fateh Singh. Major Fateh Singh’s dedication to dying for the country can be understood because even at 51 years old, he served our nation. Singh was an internationally recognized big-bore shooter. Subedar Fateh Singh’s act of bravery shall inspire many of our countrymen. He defied his age and fought alongside the young soldiers to protect his motherland. His professionalism and the valiant spirit shall be remembered lifelong. The impregnable display of his spirit will always be etched in the nation’s minds.

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