Dedicated to the Brave Soldiers who died fighting for the Country

[Kunal Biswas]

Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri (12 Bihar)

On November 9, all roads seemed to lead to the Captain Suri Park on Captain Suri Road in Shastri Nagar Colony of Ghaziabad when people from all walks of life streamed into the park to garland the bust of Ghaziabad's brave hero, Captain Surinder Singh Suri.

Captain Suri had attained martyrdom by sacrificing his life in the defence of the country at Faulad post situated at a height of 11,200 ft in Gulmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir on November 9, 2000. But before making the supreme sacrifice, Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri and his gallant men had killed 17 Pakistan soldiers.

On Monday, the third Martyrdom Day of Capt. Suri, skits, patriotic songs and mono-actings were presented by the students of various Ghaziabad schools who had worked hard to prepare the programme. Some thought-provoking speeches and poems, high in poetic and patriotic values, were also recited by eminent poets. Captain Suri was the lone recipient of the nation's second highest decoration for gallantry, Mahavir Chakra, in Independence Day Gallantry Awards in 2000.

This is how his commanding officer, Col. G S Chandel, had recorded Capt. G S Suri's last-day valour: "During this action while fighting the enemy, Captain G S Suri received wounds from a direct RPG and succumbed to his wounds. But before that seventeen Pakistani soldiers were killed and 14 bankers destroyed. A gun, a medium machinegun and two rocket launchers were snatched from enemy troops."

This is what the citation of Mahavir Chakra awarded to him, said: "On November 9, 1999, enemy launched an attack on our post which was successfully repulsed. Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri immediately deployed his support group to take care of any reinforcement/interference and set out to clear the enemy bunkers, one by one. When Capt. Suri saw that one comrade was seriously injured, he quickly moved on with his buddy, to clear the bunker. He killed two enemy soldiers with his AK rifle and silenced the machinegun. However, he got a burst in his left arm in the process.

"Unmindful of his injury, he continued to inspire his men. He then lobbed two hand-grenades into a bunker and entered inside spraying bullets and killed one enemy soldier. At this point, the officer was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade and was critically wounded. He refused to be evacuated and continued to exhort his men till he breathed his last. "Capt. Suri displayed extraordinary leadership, inspired by which the Ghataks (platoon) fell upon the enemy with vengeance and annihilated them.

Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri, thus, displayed conspicuous bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army." While the people eulogised the bravery of the late Capt. Suri, his parents Col. Tej Pal Singh, mother Surjit Kaur, grandfather, a World War II veteran, subedar Gurbaksh Singh, and other relatives heard all this with moist eyes.

"G S simply performed his duty as a soldier towards his motherland," said his grandfather Subedar Gurbaksh Singh, in an emotion-choked voice.

Rest In Peace..

 

[maomao]

Found this..

Amazing, intriguing and unbelievable!!

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Subedar Surinder Singh ( 3 Sikh)

Subedar Surinder Singh of the 3rd Sikh regiment has been posthumously decorated with the Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry award. He gunned down four Pakistani militants in a fierce encounter near the border town of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. Surinder, who made the supreme sacrifice in the battle near Pir Badesar is the lone recipient of Ashok Chakra this year, the equivalent of Param Vir Chakra.

In his village today Surinder's family and friends remembered the man who has won India's highest peacetime gallantry award. "I wish he was alive and both of us could have gone to accept the Ashok Chakra. I would have been happier then," says Santosh Kaur, Surinder's wife. The loss is palpable among all the family members and Surinder's father is all praise for his son.

"I sent my son to join the Army for the country. I am happy that he fulfilled his duty and sacrificed his life for the motherland," says Khazan Singh, Surinder's father. Surinder had many friends in his village and they all remember him fondly.

"He was my friend and whenever we talked he would say he would never show his back to the enemy," recalls Kali Dass, a villager. Almost every house in this village has at least one member in armed forces. Today these villagers are feeling very proud, they believe that one of their fellow villagers will be a source of inspiration not only for them but for the entire country.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Sudhir Kumar (9 Para SF)

It was on August 29, last year, that he died fighting insurgents in the Kupwara sector of the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. "It was on the night of August 27 that he gave us a call to say that he would be reaching home after two days, which he did, but in a coffin," recounts his mother. "Even as a small child his only aim in life was to join the Army and achieve something great," she says. It was not merely a fascination to adorn the olive green uniform, but to tread the path very few would dare to.

Born on May 24, 1968, in Jodhpur, Major Sudhir studied uptil Class V in the government school in the village itself. It was after being selected in the Sainik School at Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district, that he could see his dreams coming true. After passing out from the NDA in 1987, he was commissioned on June 11, 1988. Initially, he joined the 4 Jat Regiment. But later shifted to the elite 9 Para Commandos. His stint in Sri Lanka — as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) — saw him emerge as an expert in guerrilla warfare. There was no looking back after this as he was decorated with service medals one after the other. The endless list of decorations includes the Videsh Seva Medal and Special Services Medal in 1990, Siachen Glacier Medal, High Altitude Medal and Sainya Medal for Jammu and Kashmir in 1992.

He got the Sena Medal and Bar Two Medal in 1994 and Clasp Suraksha to Special Service Medal and Wound Medal in 1996. Major Sudhir was selected for the International Officers Advance Course in the USA. In that he qualified as an instructor with honours, after having done the course in protective services of VIP security and combat terrorism on military installations. Having added another feather to his cap, he was posted as the ADC to Army Chief,Gen V.P. Malik, from December 1997 to June 1999. His desire to be in the thick of warfare saw him becoming part of Operation Vijay, in Kargil. After it was over, Major Sudhir went back to counter-insurgency operations, his field of expertise, in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was entrusted with important tasks, which included being sent on special secret missions to Pakistan. "It was not without reason that bhai was chosen for these difficult jobs. He had a flair for languages, he had mastered Persian and Sindhi. He was also an expert in the use of explosives and could easily decode the wireless messages of the militants," disclosed Arun, younger brother of Major Sudhir.

The 31-year-old officer was killed in the dense forests of Haphruda in Kupwara, but only after gunning down a few militants. As he led a squad of five men in the area, he heard disembodied voices, but was unable to spot them. He along with his buddy crawled uphill and on reaching the knoll saw two armed militants, barely four metres away. He immediately killed the nearest sentry and charged towards the second, who jumped back into a large covered hideout in a depression, 15 metres below.

Without any hesitation, Major Sudhir charged at the hideout with only his buddy giving him covering fire.Taken aback, the militants, 20 in number, rushed out in an attempt to flee. Major Sudhir singlehandedly grappled with them and firing from a distance of two metres, killed four militants. In this action, he was hit on the face, chest and arm and fell down, bleeding profusely at the entrance of the hideout. Although, unable to move, he called up his troop commanders on the radio set, not to allow the militants to flee. It was only after 35 minutes, when fire stopped that he allowed his evacuation. Bleeding profusely, he continued to pass instructions to his troops on his radio set. He passed away holding his set, in the hand.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Sushil Aima (17 RR)

5.45 p.m, August 1st, 1999. The phone rings.... The caller has sad news to convey. " Madam, your brother, Major Aima made the supreme sacrifice while fighting the militants this morning. Please get in touch with the authorities and collect his body from the airport tomorrow"

The first day of August '99 was hot and humid. Makhanlal Aima and his family were home at Palam Vihar (Haryana), trying to ward off the oppression of the sultry weather. But they were also eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sushil, who was to join the family to celebrate his fifth wedding anniversary, the next day, August 2. But Major Sushil did not arrive. He never did. Instead came a stupefying shock, a message from the army, that he was no more. He had been killed in an encounter with Pakistan-backed mercenary terrorists in Poonch, where he was posted, on the eve of his wedding anniversary.

Late at night, when Major Sushil was resting after having made preparations for his departure for Delhi next morning, news was brought to him that a large group of foreign mercenaries had assembled on a nearby hill. It was learnt that the group had plans to attack a village in the vicinity, largely inhabited by members of one particular community.

A hurried conference was held. It was decided to go into action, surround the terrorists, and then launch a full-blooded attack, to be led by Maj Sushil. The young officer and his jawans soon made contact with the enemy and a fierce encounter followed. It lasted for seven hours, and ended up with a hand-to-hand fight, with heavy losses among the intruders. Two terrorists fell to the bullets of Major Shushil, but in the later stage of the encounter, he was fatally wounded when a bullet hit him in his left temple. Holding the revolver in his left hand, he also shot dead the third terrorist who had fired the fatal shot at him. Then he provided cover to a colleague, who had been grievously injured in a grenade blast, and helped him crawl to safety.

It was then that Major Sushil's end came. When the body of the deceased hero was brought to his home at Palam Vihar, hundreds of people had gathered there to be with the bereaved family in its hour of grief. They stood there, men and women, in silent sorrow. Not many had seen or known the young army officer, but here was India, paying its homage, to a martyred son of India. Makhanlal Aima, holding in his arms his nine-month old grandson, Sidharth, was a picture of restraint and dignity. His friends, crowded round him with words of sympathy and consolation. In a choked voice he told them, "it is an irreparable loss to all of us, and a perpetual agony for the two small kids and their young mother. But I also think of scores of other parents and relatives, who, like us, have been receiving the dead bodies of their soldier sons from the battlefront. I don't consider it as mere death. It is martyrdom. A moment of pride and honour for all of us."

Later when Major Sushil's body was taken for its last rites, Palam Vihar was transofmred into a sea of people. Thousands of them lined the road, among them school children too, whose schools had been closed for the day. Businessmen closed their establishments and shops to join the funeral procession. From ministers of Haryana, led by Revenue Minister, Kailash Sharma, to the local sarpanch, Ranjit Singh, there was hardly a civil or army dignitary, who was not there to bid farewell to Major Sushil Aima. His officers and colleagues in the army were there in full strength.

It was a spontaneous gush of sorrow. It overwhelmed the Aima family. Omkar Aima could contain himself no more. With tears trickling down his cheeks he thought of the dark days, a decade ago, when the eruption of terrorism in Kashmir, had driven out the entire Pandit community from the Valley. At that time no fleeing Pandit knew where he would find safe refuge. Everyone of them wondered whether he would be owned anywhere and whether he would belong anywhere.

Walking alongside the cortege of his nephew, Omkar felt Major Aima was the son of India and the exiled Pandit community belonged to the whole of India, and every nook and corner of the country was its home. Held by his grandfather in his arms, little Sidharth was made to light the pyre of his father, who had been described as the "bravest of brave" by a senior officer of his, Maj Gen A Mukherji. Who knows what dreams Major Aima had dreamed for his little son and four-year daughter, Ridhi. But one can be sure that he died with the confidence that a grateful nation, he left behind, would give them a happy childhood and a secure future.

A few days later a special function was held at Rohtak where Haryana Chief Minister, OP Chautala, handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakhs to Archana Aima, widow of Maj Sushil. The hearts of Omkar and Makhanlal Aima, who were present, brimmed with gratitude for the people of Haryana, Maj Sushil's adopted state. But a gnawing feeling rankled deep down in their hearts. Sushil was born and brought up in Kashmir, and he was martyred on the soil of Kashmir. And yet, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, did not have a word of sympathy or condolence to convey to the bereaved Aima family. Sushil has gone to eternal sleep, as did many brave soldier sons of this country during the summer of 1999, after shedding the last drop of their blood for the honour and integrity of their motherland.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

2nd Lt. Rishi Malhotra

Duty. Honour. Courage. That's what 2nd Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra lived his life by, and that's what his unit and parents would like people to remember of this young officer, now that he is no more. As they send out their best wishes for the New Year, the greeting card is a mark of respect for his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Inscribed inside is a short passage that tells of 2 Lt. Malhotra's commissioning into the 8 Maratha LI on Dec 11, 1993 and the search and destroy mission that he embarked on the next year in Doda district - a mission he carried out successfully, but from which he did not return. This is their way of paying tribute to the youngster who did not let his calling down, brought honours (in the form of a Kirti Chakra) to his unit, and gave up his life for all of that.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lt Nawang Kapadia

Lt Nawang Kapadia, who was commissioned on September 2, 2000 in the Fourth Battalion the Third Gorkha Rifles, died while gallantly fighting Pakistan based terrorists in the jungles of Rajwar in Kupwara district of Srinagar on 11th November 2000.

On the 10th of Nov the Battalion received information of a large number of terrorists hiding in the notorious jungles of Rajwar near Kupwara. Search and destroy operations were immediately launched with Nawang leading his own platoon. At approximately 11 am, a large hideout was discovered by the Battalion and Nawang's platoon came under fire from a group of eight to ten terrorists in the vicinity. Havaldar Chitra Bahadur got a burst in the stomach and fell mortally wounded. At this stage, Nawang instinctively rushed to rescue Chitra Bahadur, firing his weapon ,under the covering fire of his comrades. A terrorist who was hiding in the nearby foliage fired at Nawang. In the crossfire, Nawang got a bullet in the face and died, leading his troops in the highest tradition of valour and sacrifice.

The encounter has resulted in the killing of two terrorists of the Al Omar Tanzeem, a Pakistan based organization, with reports of two others grievously wounded and likely to have died. Large quantities of arms and ammunition have been recovered. The fight lasted over over 36 hours. Lt Nawang Kapadia died in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, living up to the ethos and standards of his Battalion, which earlier had lost two officers like him in counter insurgency operations in 1983-85 and again performed gallantly, despite severe casualties, in the Batalik Sector of Kargil.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lt Narendra Mayenkar

On February 26, Lt Mayenkar, a part of 'Operation Rhino', was leading a search party between beyond Gauwahati. They located the house in which they militants had holed up, but they would not surrender despite being advised to do so. So, asking his men to give him covering fire, Mayenkar stormed the house all by himself. While he was searching each room cautiously, when a militant suddenly sprang up and fired two rounds in his stomach from point blank range. Despite being shot, he continued boosting the morale of his soldiers, and killed two militants in a face to face encounter.

Large crowds gathered to pay homage to this gallant Goan officer at Vasco. The entire Army top brass was their to pay their respects to their courageous colleague. The buglers sounded the last post and self-loading rifles roared in the air to salute the martyr of the country

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Mohan Gangadharan (Bengal Engineer Group, 59 Engineer Regt)

On the fateful day of 23rd February, he was Post Commander at Shankarbasti Post in Nagon District, Assam, operating under 311 Mountain Brigade, under Operation Rhino. In the evening he received intelligence that a group of militants was holed up at Jainkhan village.

He immediately rushed to the village with the Quick Reaction Team and placed a cordon around the village.A group of three armed militants on a motorbike tried to flee the cordon in the cover of darkness. Using their arms, they laid down a curtain of bullets to facilitate their escape. Unmindful of the deadly barrage, Mohan charged through with his gun blazing and brought down one Pratap, who was the self styled Area Commander of the Action Group of Karbi National Volunteers, with a bullet in his leg. In the process, he received bullet injuries in the right arm and chest and fell down. Blood was pouring out of his wounds but Mohan rose undeterred and led the charge, the gun now in his left hand. His bullets found their mark and Pratap was killed. Now, he switched attention to the other two militants. Mohan was still firing when he finally succumbed due to loss of blood.Due to the exemplary courage and leadership displayed by him,the other two militants were captured and a veritable cache of arms was seized.

For the gallantry displayed on the battlefield, Mohan was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously on 15th August 1999.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Sameer Katwal

August 28 while attacking a camp of the newly formed Dima Halong Dowga (DHD) militant group in the North Kachar Hills district of Assam. He was not waylaid and killed while travelling in a vehicle, as reported by newspapers.

Sameer, born on July 25, 1974, was the son of K.P.S. Katwal, an officer of the Indian Forest Service posted in Tamil Nadu. He had his school education in Tiruchi and Chennai, got trained at the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, and was commissioned into the 21st Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment on June 10, 1995. In the words of his Commanding Officer, Colonel J.J. Bajwa, Sameer was a very competent soldier with enthusiastic devotion to duty.

The night before he died, Sameer had led a group of 40 soldiers on foot for about 20 km across difficult terrain, to a DHD hideout. All the soldiers, including Sameer, had the protection of bullet-proof vests and steel helmets. The approach was so skilful that the militants, numbering about 15, did not notice the soldiers even whey were within 50 metres. The colonel had given clear instructions against any adventurism. Therefore several volleys were fired upon the camp before the final charge was made. Sameer was in the forefront. A fleeing militant turned around and emptied his AK-47 rifle, and one fatal bullet found its mark: it ripped through the right collar bone and neck of Sameer.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

I will post again..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Sep Bhag Singh (7 SIKH LI)

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Sept 13 - A tearful farewell was given to martyr Bhag Singh at his native village, Pola, 19 km from here, today.Jawan Bhag Singh was a wireless operator in Sikh Light Infantary Regiment posted in Assam.

He was killed during Operation Rhino at Kalia village in Assam on September 9,1999 while fighting with ULFA extremists.

On behalf of the Punjab Government the Deputy Commissioner, Mr V.K Janjua, and Mr Sawarn Singh Chimarthal, district president of the SAD, were present at the cremation ground to pay last respect to the martyr. The Deputy Commissioner said all facilities would be provided to next of kin of the martyr by the state government.

Rest In Peace....

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Major Samir ul Islam (17 Para Field Regt)

35-year-old Major Sameer had received information that ultras were hiding in a house in Halflong area In Cachar distt. Sameer, as battery commander, led his men and cordoned off the area and in the ensuing gun battle with the ultras made the supreme sacrifice and raised the head of his family, community and country with pride. He received gun shot injuries in chest, shoulder and stomach but managed to kill three ultras before collapsing due to heavy bleeding and injury. He was rushed to the nearest army hospital but was declared 'brought dead'.

On 5 July after Zuhar prayers the funeral procession started from martyred Major's residence. His body was covered in the tricolour and was escorted by army officers and jawans of the 24th battalion of Punjab regiment and 17th Para Field Regiment . After funeral prayers the last post was sounded and a volley of 21 gunshots were fired as a salute to the brave son of the country and community.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Captain Javed Ali Saifi (35 RR)

Martyr Jawed was given a grand burial by the people of his area. Thousands of people thronged his burial site and prayed for him. Thousands gathered in front of his house to mourn the death of a young and promising soldier from the community who sacrificed his life defending the country in the insurgency-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of those who had gathered to mourn his death, did not even know the person who lost his life in Srinagar, but had come to condole his death because he had sacrificed himself for the country. Everyone seemed aggrieved, tears rolling down their eyes and trying to know who the young soul was.

Muhammad Ashraf, who attended the funeral of the young captain, was one of the hundreds who did not know Captain Jawed Ali Saifi, but had gathered to mourn his death nonetheless. When this correspondent asked Ashraf as to why he is attending the funeral without knowing who the martyr was, he replied that now he knows him better than himself. It is enough to know that he has given up his life in order to defend his country, and this reason alone is enough to make Jawed nearer to him than any of his relatives. A number of other people including Rahmat Yar expressed same sentiments. They mourned and prayed for the young soul who has parted in the midst of his prime youth.

Jawed was born on 1 August 1968. He did BSc in civil engineering from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and joined the army in 1995 as lieutenant. Soon he was promoted to the rank of captain. The sole bread-earner of his family, he is survived by his young wife Abida whom he married in 1994 before he joined the army. He has left behind a 4-year-old son, Faisal, an ailing father, two brothers, one of whom is blind and three sisters.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Constable Allah Rakha Unadjam (SRP - Grp 3) - Akshardham

Residents of Umej village in Junagadh district felt both sentiments as news of the death of Allahrakha Unadjam, the SRP constable of Group Three Mandana (District Banaskantha), Company 'C', while fighting terrorists at Akshardham reached them on Wednesday. Allahrakha's body will reach his native Umej village around 7 in the evening and he will be given a guard of honour.

On hearing the news of the SRP jawan's martyrdom, the entire village - with a population of around 7,000 joined hands for a clean-up operation. Sulemanbhai, a family friend who is quite close, to Allahrakha's father Hajibhai Aliyas Unadjam, said, "Apart from cleaning all the roads, water has also been sprinkled in the entire village. After all, Allahrakha laid down his life for the country." The entire village will observe a bandh on Thursday as a mark of respect.

"The news of Allahrakha's death has not been broken to his parents and family. Hajibhai has only been told that his son is injured and is being brought to the village. The family will be informed when the body reaches the village", Sulemanbhai said. "The last rites will take place at Datarpir Dargah and people have even started coming from Una city to pay homage to the martyr," Sulemanbhai said.

"Though the son of a farmer, Allahrakha always dreamt of joining the police or Army," said Hakimbhai Jummabhai, the tutor who taught Allahrakha from Class I to VII. "Allahrakha was a good student. His favourite subjects were Maths, Science and English. In Maths, he used to score above 90-95 per cent," recalls Hakimbhai. Principal of Shanter High School Dilipsinh Virsinh Jadav said, "Allahrakha was very good at sports besides being a good student." "After completing his Class XII from Shah H D High School Una, Allahrakha immediately joined the SRP. His father was very happy about it", Sulemanbhai recalls.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Capt. R Subramanian (1 Para SF)

Tributes were paid to martyr Capt R. Subramanian, who laid down his life for the nation while fighting foreign militants in Kupwara districts on June 18. Capt R. Subramanian belonged to First Para (SF) at present somewhere in Western Command.

According to information available here, on June 18 during operations in Haphruda forest of Kupwara district in Kashmir valley, Capt R. Subramanian was the Troop Commander leading one of the columns. At around 6.30 p.m. his troops came under fire from a group of 10-15 foreign militants. Quickly analysing the situation, Capt Subramanian moved his troops over adverse and tough terrain and engaged the militants in a fight. As a result of his bold action his troops managed to extricate themselves from the ambush zone and also engaged the enemy. The ensuing fight continued into the night. Capt Subramanian kept the pressure on the militants.

The next morning three militants from a commanding position brought down effective fire on his troop. Realising the tremendous danger to the life of his men, Capt Subramanian charged at the militants, firing from his weapons. The militants fired at him, injuring him in the neck and shoulders. This did not deter the valiant officer who unflinchingly continued to charge at them. He closed in on the militants and killed three of them. He received more injuries in the process in the face and head. By his singularly gallant action he killed three foreign militants and saved the lives of his men.

Capt Subramanian was evacuated from the area immediately in a helicopter but he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The bold and daring action and the supreme sacrifice made by him was in the highest tradition of the Indian Army. His indomitable courage and steadfast valour led to the elimination of nine hardcore foreign militants.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Maj Pradeep R Tathawade (8 J&K LI)

"The Major killed three militants in the operation before he succumbed to his injuries,'' says Maj Tathawade's colleague, Maj Sean O'Brien, who is from the same unit, the 8 Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) and accompanied the body to Pune.

According to Maj O'Brien, the unit received a tip off on Friday about a group of militants holed up in Shahpur village. Maj Tathawde, who was the officiating commanding officer of the unit immediately moved to the area with his men. Surrounding the hut where the militants where holed up they asked the militants to surrender. When they refused the Army opened fire to flush out the militants. ``It was then that Maj Tathawade saw two militants trying to break away,'' remembers Maj O'Brien. Maj Tathawade charged the two militants and gunned them down when suddenly another attacked from behind.

'He rolled to the ground with the militant who got up and shot Maj Tathawade at point-blank range.'' Although shot in the stomach and thigh he managed to kill the third militant. By then he was bleeding profusely but continued to direct the operation, warning his people to stay back till the militants were killed or captured. "He ensured the safety of his men even though he was injured he refused to be evacuated,'' said Maj O'Brien. Later when the remaining militants were killed they rushed the Major to a field ambulance unit but it was too late. He died due to excessive bleeding and his body was flown to Pune in the early hours of Monday.

Maj Tathawade was a veteran of several operations and had killed five militants from the Hizbul-ul-Mujahadeen in October last year. These militants were suspected to be from a group known as the HOJI. He had also done a stint on the Siachen glacier. Born in Kendur Pabal village of Shirur Taluka in Pune district, Maj Tathawade did his schooling at Satara Military school before joining the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the 8 JAKLI on June 1984.

The funeral arrangements were made by the Pune sub area and Maj Gen B K Bopanna laid a wreath on behalf of the GOC-in-C, Southern Command, while Col G Ilangovan laid one on behalf of GOC-in--C Maharashtra and Gujarat area followed by a wreath by Brig Ashok Anand, Pune sub area commander.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lt Ravinder Singh Chhikara ( 6 Grenadiers)

RAJOURI, July 30: Displaying undaunting courage and valour of the highest order, Lt Ravinder Chhikara, 24, killed three dreaded terrorists of HUJI before attaining the supreme sacrifices in an encounter with foreign mercenaries near village Naili Kadoka in Manjakote area of Rajouri district on July 19.The sacrifice given by this young officer who kept the traditions of Indian Army alive by laying down his life for this great nation will always be remembered. Hailing from village Kheri Asra a small hamlet in Jhajjar Haryana Lt. Chhikara showed most courage,selfless devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army and with total disregard to personnel safety chased the dreaded HUJI militant group to their finish.

After receiving the information about the presence of few terrorists in village Naili a joint operation was launched by Ghatak PI under Lt Chhikara with troops of 16 Sikh on July 19.

Seeing the advancing Ghatak Party, the terrorists opened volley of fire on the Party. Lt Chhikara who was moving closely behind the scouts quickly moved the house where from the fire had come.

Without wasting any time, under the cover of LMG fire the officer displaying utmost dedication to his duty sweeped into the room with a volley of bullets from his A K 47 Rifle and shot dead one terrorist who was in the process of firing his RPG. The terrorist was taken by surprise with the clever move of the Officer.

The bold action by this young officer turned the situation in favour of security forces. Seeing their accomplice dead two more terrorists who were also inside the house returned fire and ran towards the hill under the cover of a nallah. Not ready to let this fleeing opportunity to loose, Lt Ravinder Chhikara along with his team immediately chased the fleeing terrorists.

While chasing them he realised that his BPJ was hampering his impending task hence he threw it off and ran behind the terrorists like a roaring lion who were running up hill.

With the gap closing in , the fleeing terrorists suddenly took cover of a boulder and started firing at the party headed by Lt Chhikara. Showing utmost courage, selfless devotion to duty and with total disregard to personnel safety this brave Indian Army Officer jumped behind another boulder and killed the terrorist also. However, in the process he suffered the grievous multiple bullet injuries in his chest from the third terrorist.

This courageous officer was so entangled by the love of his mother land that despite the grievous wound he had suffered he entered into a hand to hand fight with the third terrorist and fired a long burst from his AK 47 Rifle killing him also before attaining martyrdom.

During this encounter a total of six foreign mercenaries including Jammu Region Area Commander of HUJI was also killed and huge quantity of arms and ammunition received.

The raw courage and swiftness shown by this Army Officer prevented the terrorists from encircling the party from behind.

Lt Ravinder Chhikara is survived by his father Mr Rattan Singh, mother Mrs Kamli Devi and a younger brother who is doing engineering in Kurukshetra Engineering College.

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lt. Col. Ajit Bhandarkar (25 RR)

Obituary - It is with deep regret and a great feeling of profoundness that I record the death of a Brave great soldier at Jammu and Kashmir. Lt. Col. Ajit Bhandarkar of Rashtriya Rifles. (Madras Regiment), A GSB who hailed from Bangalore , was killed in an encounter at Surankot near Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. His Body was brought home to Bangalore on Late Sunday Night.

On receiving Clues about some militants in a forest in Surankot in the Doda sector of Jammu, Lt. Col. Bhandarkar rushed to the area with his team at around 3.30 PM(IST) on Saturday Afternoon. In the ensuing Gun Battle, Lt. Col. Bhandarkar killed five militants before falling to the enemy bullets.

Three Jawans were also killed in the encounter along with him. Thirty Nine year old Bhandarkar is survived by his Parents

Rest In Peace..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lance Naik Balbir Singh ( 6 Sikh LI)

Mortal remains of Lance Naik Balbir Singh, who laid down his life for the nation at Palan Wala sector of Akhnoor during cross-border shelling on Monday evening, were consigned to flames by his 10-year-old son, Devinder, at Maksudra village, near here. Constables of the Punjab Police reversed their arms in martyr's honour. They also fired shots in his honour.

Rest In Peace..