Recuperating in the same ICU is Captain A K Singh, commissioned in 22 Fd Regiment on December 2003. He was badly wounded in his left eye during the operation at the Trident/Oberoi.

“A splinter entered his eye damaging the pupil and the retina. His left eye is completely damaged and surgeons had to perform enucleation (complete removal of the eye),” said Dr Ashish Tiwari, spokesperson for the hospital.

“We made him a commando with great difficulty,” says Amravati, Singh’s worried mother. “His father was a constable at the NSG headquarters till retirement. He volunteered for NSG and was permanently deputed there two years ago. He is the only breadwinner for the family.”

Flanked by her family members, Amravati, however, insists her son will return to the force. “Why not,” she asks. “I will send my son back to the war front. He will serve the nation again.”

Singh was on the 21st floor where his team was clearing floors downwards. After finding two bodies and evacuating 20 people as well as an injured NSG officer from the 19th floor followed by two foreigners on the 18th floor, Singh’s unit was attacked by terrorists from a room where they were holed up. The terrorists emerged, firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades, and escaped. Singh took the brunt of a splinter in his left eye, but continued fighting till he fell unconscious. Now, waiting by his side day and night is his long-time friend and fiancée to be. “We were supposed to get engaged this month,” says Dr Madhu Singh.

... contd.