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Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 10, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth4 February 1982

Age37 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceMithi village, Siwani Tehsil, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India

ProfessionIndian Army Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSuman Devi

FamilySon (1), Daughters (2) including Priya Singh

Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Biography

Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Kadyan was a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army who served from 2001 until his death in 2019. He was posthumously-awd

Early life and background
Sombir Singh Kadyan was born on 4 February 1982 in Mithi village, Siwani Tehsil, Bhiwani district, Haryana. He grew up in Bhiwani and attended a local government school. He came from a military family: his father, Sher Singh Kadyan, was a retired soldier of the Indian Army. Sombir married Suman Devi and the couple had three children — one son and two daughters, including a daughter named Priya Singh.

Career
After completing his schooling, Sombir Singh joined the Indian Army and underwent recruit training at the Jat Regimental Centre in Bareilly. In 2001 he was allotted to the 8th Battalion of the Jat Regiment and began his career as a sepoy. Over the years he rose through the ranks on account of his organizational and leadership abilities and became a Naib Subedar, a Junior Commissioned Officer.

During his service he was attached to counter-insurgency duties in Kashmir. He served with the 34th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles and participated in multiple counter-terrorism operations conducted under Operation Rakshak. On 24 February 2019 he led an assault team that had received intelligence about militants holed up in Turigam village in Kulgam. During the engagement his team eliminated militants inside a building and later moved to block likely escape routes around the village.

While attempting to rescue a wounded comrade and cut off the militants’ exit, Sombir moved out of cover and engaged an attacker in close quarters. He succeeded in neutralizing that militant but sustained grave gunshot wounds to the chest and neck. He was evacuated to the 92 Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar but succumbed to his injuries on 24 February 2019.

Honours and recognition
For his actions during the operation in Kulgam, Sombir Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry decoration. The award was announced posthumously in 2019 and is cited as recognition for his courage and leadership during the encounter.

Public profile
Sombir’s family received state support following his death. The Haryana government granted an ex gratia payment to his family and offered a government job to his widow, subject to her qualifications. His daughter Priya spoke publicly about the pride the family felt at his decoration and the difficulty of living without him.

Media and portrayal
Sombir Singh’s story reached a wider audience when it was selected for dramatization. In the second season of the series Rakshak – India’s Braves, actor Barun Sobti was chosen to portray Naib Subedar Sombir Singh Kadyan. The portrayal and related promotional material highlighted Sombir’s leadership and his final actions during the Kulgam operation.

Latest updates
Public accounts indicate that initial reports identified the militant Sombir neutralised as a local operative, but subsequent information described that individual as a foreign militant of a high threat category. His military service is recorded as spanning from 2001 until his death on 24 February 2019.

Physical details
At the time information was compiled, Sombir Singh’s height was listed as approximately 178 cm (about 5 feet 10 inches) and his weight around 65 kg. He was described as having dark brown eyes and black hair.

Personal and family
Sombir was Hindu and of the Jat community. His mother’s name is recorded as Rajendri Devi. Beyond his military role and family details, public notes include the family’s request for continued support for the dependents of fallen soldiers.

Service record highlights
Sombir’s service number is recorded as JC-492138A. He served with the 8th Battalion of the Jat Regiment and later with the 34th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles while deployed in Kulgam. His service is associated with Operation Rakshak, the army’s counter-insurgency framework in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Recent Work

Rakshak – India’s Braves: Chapter 2 (portrayed)

Sombir Singh’s life and final operation were dramatised in the second season of the series; actor Barun Sobti was cast to play him.

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Joined Indian Army in 2001 and served with the 8th Battalion of the Jat Regiment
  2. Served with the 34th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles in Kulgam during counter-insurgency operations
  3. Posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for gallantry
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Naib Subedar Sombir Singh born?

4 February 1982

What is Naib Subedar Sombir Singh known for?

Indian Army Personnel

What is Naib Subedar Sombir Singh’s marital status?

Married

Who is Naib Subedar Sombir Singh married to?

Suman Devi