Thapar institute pays tribute to its ‘INS Khukri’ martyr student; installed his mural in the library
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ October 9,2023
Dr.Padmakumar Nair Director Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala unveiled a memorial in the form of a mural on Shaheed Stambh in the Library of the Institute on October 7, 2023 to commemorate the memory of Sub Lt. GurIqbal Singh Sandhu who sacrificed his life for the country during 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The function was attended by more than hundred pass outs students and faculty members and batchmates of Sub Lt Sandhu. Large number of Army Officers who passed out from Thapar Institute led by Veteran Major General Gurdeep Singh and Rear Admiral Anil Handa attended the function. Er. Gursharan Singh Sandhu, younger brother of Sub Lt Sandhu came specially from USA to attend the memorial function.
Sub Lt. GurIqbal Singh Sandhu passed out with degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute was back in 1970. He is a son of a teacher who was a teacher in Modern Senior Secondary School, Patiala (earlier Modern Secondary School, Patiala) . His three younger brothers were also students from Modern School, Patiala.
After passing out from Thapar Institute ,he joined Indian Navy in May,1970. He was posted aboard INS Khukri during the 1971 war against Pakistan and was the junior most officers on-board.
INS Khukri was a frontline warship of the Western Fleet which played a key role during operations on the Western Naval front. On December 9, 1971, while carrying out an anti-submarine patrol, an underwater explosion caused by a torpedo severelydamaged the ship, resulting in it taking in water. A second torpedo hit caused severe damage and the ship started sinking.Despite the fact that his chances of survival were dimming with every passing second, Sub Lt. GurIqbal Singh Sandhu fought the natural odds valiantly displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of great danger and made the supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of the Indian Navy along with 193 officers and comrades in arms led by Commander Mahendra Nath Mulla.
Thapar institute pays tribute to its ‘INS Khukri’ martyr student; installed his mural in the library.The proceedings of the memorial function were carried out by Vetern DP Sabharwal Wing Commander, Dr.Padma kumar Nair- Director, Dr. Ajay Batish – Deputy Director, Mansi Bhargava -HoD Alumni Affairs and Lt Col Ajaydeep Singh –Head Administration of the Institute.
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