Encounter with a 26/11 NSG commando

However, none of us saw the gory sights inside the Taj and Oberoi hotels -- the dead guests, the bloody rooms and damaged structures. We didn't see the shots being fired, or the crumbling walls. One man, who did see those sights, has ironically lost some of his vision today.

Captain Amitendra Kumar Singh, a National Security Guard commando, was inside the Oberoi Hotel, fighting the terrorists on November 27. He was positioned in front of the room where the terrorists were holed up, and was firing at them, hoping to injure them.

It was only when he felt a sharp punch in the eye that he knew he had been hit by a grenade. The last thing he remembers is being carried down the fire exit by fellow NSG commandos and being put in an ambulance.

When he was flown out of Delhi along with his fellow officers to battle the terrorists in Mumbai, Captain Singh had never dreamt that this would be his last operation as a serving officer. Placing his life in danger to rescue innocent civilians was part of his job profile, but never had this young man imagined his career would be cut short so soon, and that his life would be turned upside down in a split second.

A few days after being injured, Captain Singh was discharged from the Bombay Hospital and sent to the Sankara Netralaya Eye Hospital in Chennai for treatment. However, the news was bad. The commando had lost his left eye, and doctors recommended he get a false eye. Declining their recommendation, he took a month's sick leave and went to Lucknow, his hometown, to recover.

After shuttling back and forth between Lucknow's Command Hospital, Chennai's Sankara Netralaya Eye Hospital and Delhi's R&R Hospital, Captain Singh was discharged a day before Holi and allowed to return to the NSG camp in Manesar, where he is posted.

"I'll never be able to participate in operations again. Serving in the army always been my dream, which is now shattered."

"I used to think about the IAS also sometimes, but couldn't imagine studying that much. I was never interested in studies, I hated exams and books. I was interested in sports, so I took part in extra curricular activities extensively."

"Since I hated studying, I decided to join the army. But it is not that the army is free of academics -- we have courses and tests too -- so I end up studying two days before the exam and write down everything I know! If I'd known I'd have to study so much in the army, I would never have joined." (Chuckles.)

Despite his troubles, the mention of his fiance Dr Madhu Singh brings a smile to his face. The young lady didn't allow her fiance's fate to deter her determination of joining the army as a dentist.

"He has become a bigger hero than us. They should have stoned him to death at some crossroads in Mumbai that time itself."

Discussing the operation, Captain Singh says, "The claims of policemen being inside the hotel during the attack -- there was not a single cop inside. Not even the (naval commandos) Marcos were there -- they handed over the operation to us and left."

"I don't regret joining the NSG even though I lost my eye. The location and complex are nice -- it makes me feel peaceful. There are forests and a temple close by. Sometimes we see leopards in the thickets. We are also provided with facilities like a swimming pool. I like it here."