Someone somewhere is a series of write ups on brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice but little is known about these men. It is a humble attempt to bring to fore the many unsung heroes of Indian Armed Forces.
My earlier articles were about Sepoy Vikas Bhardwaj, who was killed in an ambush in Manipur in 2015, Capt. Shailesh Rialch who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists in Anantnag in 1999, Capt Veera Raja Reddy who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists in Rajouri in 2002, Capt K Ravi Shankar who gave his all while fighting terrorists in J & K in 1997; these can be found on my website http://www.scribblesnme.in.
This piece here is about Lt Satbir Singh SC. SM; the only person from Army Education Corps to be decorated twice.
The old adage ‘Man proposes, God disposes’ fits perfectly, for the family of Lt Satbir Singh SC SM.
The entire household was busy in the wedding preparations of Lt Satbir that was slated on 18th March 2009. However, on 10th March Lt. Satbir called up his family and told them to postpone the wedding. Reason being, his reliever would be able to join him only a fortnight later. Subsequently, the marriage date was changed to April 4, 2009.
On March 19th, the family received a call from Lt Satbir’s unit 12 Maratha Light Infantry informing them that he had made the supreme sacrifice the previous evening i.e. 18th March while fighting terrorists.
What was to be his wedding day, had turned into his martyrdom day!
Lt Satbir Singh Malik was born on 4th Feb 1981 to Bhuro Devi and Ch Man Singh in Thua village, Jind District. He did his basic schooling from Arya Senior Secondary, Narwana and graduated with a B.Sc from Government College in Jind.
He wished to don the Olive Greens and serve his Nation. So, he joined Army Education Corps as a Havildar. Thanks to his literary mindset and officer like qualities, he was selected in the Services Selection Board. After completion of a year long training as a technical graduate, he got commissioned in Army Education Corps on December 12 2007.
Later, Lt Satbir was posted to 12 Marathi Li for two years, as cross attachment. During his tenure in Maratha Li, he was decorated with a Sena Medal (gallantry) in November 2008.
This was for an operation that he led in Bomdiar Village, Bishnapur District, Manipur. Lt Satbir and his team spotted two suspects. When they challenged these suspects to stop, they opened fire. Lt Satbir swiftly moved and killed the terrorist. He saved the life of a soldier who had been pinned down. He and his buddy also chased the fleeing terrorist and managed to kill him.
On March 18, 2009, Lt Satbir’s patrol was manning a check post at Naurem Bridge near Bomdiar. A sepoy from his party was tasked with the duty of stopping the vehicles for a check. While trying to stop a jeep, Sepoy Chandrakant was fired upon by terrorists. Lt Satbir quickly sprang to action and returned the fire. He also pulled his Sepoy to safety, without bothering about his own safety. While doing so, he was fired upon. The bullet found its way from between the plates of his bullet proof jacket and hit his lungs. Despite the injuries, he refused to get evacuated. Ordering his party to cover him, he continued to fire at the terrorists, till he fell unconscious. He was successful in destroying the vehicle of the terrorists but they had managed to flee. While being evacuated to the nearest civil hospital, Lt Satbir succumbed to his injuries.
For his unmatched camaraderie, conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice, Lt Satbir was decorated with the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.
Such is the cost of our freedom. Someone somewhere guards our borders on icy heights, someone somewhere spends sleepless nights so that we sleep peacefully and someone somewhere came back wrapped in the Tricolour.
Let us remember those who never came back and keep them in our thoughts always.
Jai Hind!
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