A fourth-generation Army officer from Chandigarh, Captain Samira Zeenat Buttar represents a distinguished military lineage that spans the cavalry era of the British Indian Army, post-Independence gallantry, and today’s integrated warfare. She emerged as one of the prominent commanding figures at this year’s Republic Day parade.
Commissioned in 2021, Captain Buttar led the Integrated Operational Centre tableau themed on Operation Sindoor. The role symbolised the convergence of her recent induction into the Army, her rare multi-decorated family legacy, and a contemporary operational display at the nation’s foremost ceremonial event.
Her great-grandfather served with the renowned 4th Hodson’s Horse of the British Indian Army.Her grandfather, Brigadier Sampuran Singh, carried forward the tradition of valour by earning both the Mahavir Chakra and the Vir Chakra for his bravery as a Lieutenant Colonel during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. He later raised the 19 Punjab Regiment and continued to serve until his death in 1971, succumbing to battle injuries sustained in the 1965 conflict.
The legacy endured through her father, Sarbjeet Singh, who served as an officer in the 8 Mechanised Infantry. The only child of the family, Captain Buttar stands as the fourth consecutive generation to don the olive green, carrying forward a remarkable tradition of service and sacrifice.
A graduate from Army Institute of Law, Mohali, she is currently pursuing a PhD from the same institution. She credits her early grounding in discipline to her schooling at Lawrence School, Sanawar. “As a boarding school student, I knew no other way of life than discipline,” Captain But-tar said. “Routine, structure and accountability were part of everyday life, and that shaped how I approached respon-sibility.”
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