Major Birendra Singh was Officer Commanding Delta Company of the 13th Battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry during IPKF operations in Sri Lanka. Soon after the battalion touched down at the Palai airfield on 11 October 1987, it was tasked to undertake a heliborne operation the same night, drop behind enemy lines and secure the enemy headquarters around Kokkovil. The Battalion, minus two companies, which had landed, was to fly out in 14 sorties commencing 2300 hours. Delta Company, under Major Birendra Singh, was to move in the first wave, take over the helipad from a team of 10 Para Commandos and secure it for the subsequent landing of the battalion.
Major Birendra Singh meticulously organised his company into helicopter loads and briefed them about a mission they had never before undertaken. The landing zone came under very heavy intense and accurate fire, thus preventing the landing of the complete 10 Para Commando team. Major Birendra Singh with one platoon landed amidst a volley of fire and in conjunction with the depleted 10 Para Commando team secured the helipad.
The heliborne operations were called off because all available helicopters had been mauled by enemy fire. Thus Major Birendra Singh, with barely a platoon, lay behind the strongest enemy foothold. He was totally undeterred when told that subsequent sorties were not feasible and link-up would be by the land route.
The 10 Para Commando team was asked to move up further which left Major Birendra Singh and his depleted platoon completely surrounded by the enemy. The anticipated link-up could not materialise. Major Birendra Singh, with limited ammunition and manpower, continued to hold out against unimaginable odds and inflicted tremendous casualties on the enemy as per the last radio communication. In the highest and most honourable traditions of our Army the entire force of 30 men under his command continued to fight till they laid down their lives.
Major Birendra Singh fought and died like a soldier on the battlefield. He has set yet another glowing example of dedication to duty, courage, loyalty and leadership.
