AN ARMY DOCTOR WHO GRAPPLED TERRORISTS IN AFGHANISTAN

By
Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh, VSM ( Retd)

New Delhi, 29th October 2024: On February 2010 while posted in Kabul, Major Laishram Jyotin Singh while serving as part of the Indian Medical Mission in Afghanistan laid down life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army when he protected five of his colleagues by grappling with a terrorist when their mission was subjected to a heinous terrorist attack. He was awarded the nations highest peace time gallantry award the Ashoka Chakra posthumously and is the only recipient of the same from the Army Medical Corps.

Born on 14 May 1972 in Nambal, Bishnupur District of Manipur, his parents were Shri Laishram Markanda Singh and Smt Ibeyaima Devi. Major Jyotin was the third among the four highly accomplished siblings with two sisters and a brother. His sisters Bina Kumari Devi and Ragini Devi work as a Doctor and a Lecturer in Mathematics respectively. While his youngest brother Boeing is a Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.

Major Laishram Jyotin Singh completed his schooling from Manipur Public School, Imphal and MBBS from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal in 1996. Later he completed a two-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Patiala in 2001. He was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps as a Short Service Commissioned Officer on 15 February 2003 and granted Permanent Commission on 26 April 2007.

Major Laishram Jyotin Singh’s brother receiving the Ashoka Chakra from then President Mrs Pratibha Patil.

Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was initially posted with the Border Roads Organization and was then posted to the Military Hospital in Agartala. He was also part of the Fourth Military World Games at Hyderabad in 2007 and the Commonwealth Youth Games at Pune in 2008. r Jyotin worked very diligently and was always ready for any task even beyond the call of his regular duty. While working as a Medical Officer at the Military Hospital, Agartala he also provided specialist services to the Government Hospital and College. He was also an excellent football player and body-builder.

Four Army Doctors, (left to right) Captain Ch Keishing, Captain Laishram Jyotin Singh, Captain M Athikho & Lt Col L Manongba, all from Manipur & alumni of RIMS joined the Army Medical Corps in the same month.

(Source: https://www.ifp.co.in/4869/death-defying-bear-hug-major-laishram-jyotin-singh)

On 13 February 2010, he was selected for deputation to the Indian Medical Mission in Kabul.
During his tenure in Kabul, on 26 February 2010, at 0630 hours, a guarded residential compound of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, housing six Army Medical Officers, four paramedics and two other Army officers of the English Language Training Team (ELTT) was attacked by heavily armed and determined suicide bombers. A terrorist, after detonating a Suicidal Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) and killing three security guards, entered the compound with the aim of killing any survivors. The terrorist started firing bursts of Kalshnikov rounds and throwing hand grenades into individual rooms.

In the melee, the five unarmed officers took shelter in one of the rooms which was subjected to a grenade attack and the fire on its roof spread consequently to the bathroom where another group of five officers were sheltered. On hearing shouts of the five officers, Major Laishram Jyotin Singh crawled out from under the debris of his room and charged with bare hands at the armed terrorist. He pinned him down to ensure that the terrorist could no longer lob more grenades or direct fire at the officers cornered in a burning room. He continued to grapple with armed terrorist and did not let him go till the terrorist panicked and detonated his suicide vest, resulting in the instantaneous death of the terrorist and Major Laishram Jyotin Singh along with him.

Grieving Sister of Major Laishram Singh during his funeral.

Incidentally, six Indians were killed in this attack, apart from Major (Dr) L. Jyotin Singh a member of the Indian Medical Mission (IMM) in Kabul and working at the Indira Gandhi Institute for Child Health; they included Major Deepak Yadav of Army Education Corps (AEC), English teacher at the Afghan Military Academy;Shri Nitish Chhibber, Assistant, Consulate General of India, Kandahar; Shri Roshan Lal, Constable of the Indian Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a Security Guard at the Consulate General of India, Herat;Shri Bhola Ram, Deputy General Manager, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (instrumental in setting up Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line and Chimtala sub-station, which brought electricity to Kabul); and Shri Nawab Khan, Tabla player (member of an Indian Council of Cultural Relations-sponsored cultural troupe visiting Afghanistan).

For his act of exemplary courage, grit and valour in the face of a terrorist attack and the self-sacrifice he made to save his colleagues. Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously. He is the first-ever doctor to receive the Ashoka Chakra. The award was received by his brother, Dr LB Singh.

His courage, valour and sacrificing his life for the sake of his colleagues, remain inspirational for the future generations.

MEMORIAL

⦁ Bust of Late Major (Dr) Laishram Jyotin Singh at the Jyotin Memorial Park in Leimakhong, Manipur

(Source: https://www.ifp.co.in/4869/death-defying-bear-hug-major-laishram-jyotin-singh)

The Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre & College in Lucknow has honoured this bravest son of India by dedicating its main auditorium in his name – Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, AC, Auditorium.

(Source: https://medalsandribbons.com/2020/12/24/death-defying-bear-hug-maj-dr-l-jyotin-singh-ac/)

⦁ The Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre & College in Lucknow has honoured this bravest son of India by dedicating a roundabout to his gallantry within its campus – Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, AC,Chauraha .

(Source: X@SouthernCommand INDIAN ARMY)

⦁ In order to pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Major Laishram Jyotin Singh a New Residential Jyotin Block &bust inaugurated at Command Hospital by his mother Mrs Laishram Ibeyaina.

⦁ Indian Railways introduced an electric engine in the name of Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, Ashoka Chakra (Posthumous) to honour his supreme sacrifice.