Captain Pradeep Singh, an officer of the Indian Navy, assumed command of INS Tarkash on January 21, 2015. His exemplary leadership was particularly notable during Operation Raahat in April 2015. In this operation, he oversaw the meticulous planning and execution of a daring evacuation operation. This led to the safe evacuation of approximately 600 civilians from 18 different nationalities from Al Hodeidah and Aden harbours in Yemen.

During this operation, Captain Singh faced significant challenges, including hostile threats and violence. He made strategic decisions to keep the ship moving continuously, avoiding docking or anchoring, which were critical in the successful evacuation under such dangerous circumstances. His quick thinking and resourcefulness were also evident in the evacuation of the body of the first Indian casualty in the Yemen conflict and 10 nurses who were stuck in heavy crossfire.

Captain Singh’s calm and decisive actions in the face of armed opposition, including intercepting boats with armed Yemenese, were instrumental in defusing potential threats. His robust force protection measures and effective baggage screening onboard INS Tarkash ensured the safety and security of all evacuees.

For his bravery, leadership, and personal courage in leading his ship’s teams under fire in the combat zone off Yemen, Captain Pradeep Singh was awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry). His actions during this operation not only saved many lives but also enhanced the reputation of the Indian Navy and the country