Gurpreet a handsome lad from Delhi joined D-56 in third term, after spending two terms in OTS. An ever cheerful and caring mate, who supported his peers and subordinates under all circumstances. He was always bubbly, full of "Josh", and exuberant in all what he did. He was the life of small gatherings in cabins during leisure time.  Besides, the customary traits of an NDA cadet, Gurpreet’s sense of rhythm, coupled with a melodious voice were truly virtuous and god gifted. A talented singer, who did not need any background music to sing. Great at improvising anything into a "tabla" from the top of a study table to an empty plastic mug or even a dustbin ! He found his rhythm in anything. When in the mood he had all his coursemates in splits with his creative limericks by adapting lyrics of popular Hindi songs. He could elevate the group mood and enliven the environment anytime, anywhere. While in NDA, the only place he dreaded was the equitation lines for the fear of equines, especially the ones with ‘Red Patta’. Happy-go-lucky and did not seem to have a care in the world. He exuded positive and energetic vibes that everyone enjoyed his company.

 

He sailed through the tough environs of both the NDA and IMA with ease and was commissioned into 13Guards, a ‘Paltan’ with rich operational experience and great traditions. Few weeks before POP, Gurpreet decided to become clean shaven. His regimental colleagues remember him as a spirited officer who was indeed very popular with his troops. Each and every unit officer of his times speaks very high of his operational focus and regimental spirit. His then company commander recalls with pride a very daring and successful trans-border operation carried out with him in 1983, while serving in some sensitive sector along the Eastern borders.

In 1986-87, Gurpreet and VP Singh (Bravo) were bachelor buddies posted in Infantry School Mhow. Gurpreet was blessed with dashing debonair looks and was keenly eyed by a host of prospective father in laws! And there were plenty !!Gurpreet was also married to his bike, a Royal Enfield and his Sunday mornings were totally devoted to her. Gurpreet was a colleague and friend of VP, who is missed dearly by him.

 

His moment of glory came in 1987, when 13 GUARDS was selected to be part of IPKF and deployed at an active location in Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Major Gurpreet, a dashing young company commander launched numerous operations over the next two years, always leading from the front. Col Ram Singh, his commanding officer in Op Pawan recalls a very bold and successful search and destroy mission undertaken by the officer, in an inhospitable jungle terrain on 23 Feb 1989, resulting in neuralisation of a LTTE hideout and killing of their local commander. For this act of bravery, he was recommended for a gallantry award on 17 Mar 1989.

 

Gurpreet’s mentor and Units’ Second-in-Command, Lt Col  AK Chhibber, who till date has not got over the shock of sudden and untimely demise of his youngster, recalls a deadly counter-ambush undertaken by him in the company of Gurpreet when their convoy was targeted by the by the LTTE along the road Sammanthurai – Amparai, in the last week of Aug 1989. The LTTE sprung up an ambush on their convoy of three jeeps with fire from two sides and an IED attack along the road. A very bold action by the team, not only, suppressed the ambush, but also, forced the LTTE firing parties to retreat into the Jungle. Unfortunately, one of the jeeps caught fire due to an IED attack, resulting into the death of one JCO and four OR. The very next day, it was learnt that the ambush was led by a prominent LTTE leader, who had suffered a bullet injury in the counter-ambush and died during evacuation. There were many such successful operations undertaken by his Unit and Gurpreet’s contribution was noteworthy and exemplary.

Gurpreet had got married to Shabnam on 30 Oct 1988, during some leave prior to attending his JC Course at College of Combat (now AWC) Mhow. Fortunately, with Op Pawan background, he was allotted temporary married accommodation for the duration of JC Course. Pradeep Batra who was his neighbour at AWC, recalls that Gurpreet and Shabnam made a charming couple and were very popular in the small community of married officers attending the JC Course. Being the owner of a Maruti car, he was always there to help other couples with lifts to MH, DSOI or the Mhow bazar. After three months of togetherness at AWC, Gurpreet headed back for Op Pawan, leaving Shabnam back in Delhi. As destiny would have it, this was the only time that the young couple ever stayed together in a military establishment after marriage. By the autumn of 1989, there were some indicators of impending de-induction of IPKF to main land India.

 

Newly married and JC qualified, in high spirits, Gurpreet landed at Onthachimadam in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, in anticipation of an early de-induction of his unit after an eventful operational deployment overseas. Unfortunately, the fate had something else in store for him; as an internal stress factor, sustained during his current tenure was to become fatal for him. Gurpreet breathed his last in Op Pawan due to ‘Pulmonary Embolism’ on 05 Oct 1989, just a few weeks before he was to be back home to be with his newly married wife.

IC 38701A, Maj Gurpreet Singh was indeed a great course-mate, a spirited regimental officer, a professional warrior and a devoted family man. His loss has been extremely tragic to his family, friends and the Regiment. Mrs Gurpreet, his very young spouse was later married to another regimental officer, after earnest efforts by his regiment and the family. She has since moved on in her life.

Penned with inputs from HV Singh, PK Batra, Vinod Kumar (D) and VP Singh (B).
 
🙏 May his soul rest in peace 🙏