Vir Chakra (VrC)

Subedar Sampuran Singh of 13 Sikh Light Infantry was the Platoon Commander with the heliborne force which was dropped in the heart of Jaffina Town to destroy the militants headquarters as part of the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka. Due to poor flying and navigational error, the force was dropped west of the designated location zone. Soon it was surrounded by militants who effectively engaged the force from all directions. Seeing no way out, Subedar Sampuran Singh motivated his men to give their best till the last man and last round. The entire force – one officer, one Junior Commissioned Officer and 28 men fought till the end and inflicted heavy casualties on militants but in the process made the supreme sacrifice in the highest tradition of their Service. Subedar Sampuran Singh displayed conspicuous courage and valiant leadership in the face of militants.