THE 2011 GALLANTRY AWARD WINNERS & MARTYRS

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, unhesitatingly sacrificed his young life in the service of

the Nation, on 20th August 2011, in a fierce anti-infiltration operations on the Line of  Control, in the remote Gurez Sector of North Kashmir.

Lieutenant Navdeep, a third generation soldier and an alumnus of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, was commissioned on 19th March 2011. A born leader, Navdeep’s intrinsic talent and raw fighting spirit soon shone through with his Battalion entrusting him with the coveted leadership of its crack Commando Platoon, which he trained and honed into a superbly fit fighting unit. Raring to go and seeking challenges at every step, Navdeep was deployed with his crack team to destroy infiltration attempts by hardcore terrorists from across the Line of Control.

On the fateful night of 19th August 2011, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh and his

Commando Platoon were deployed in the Kanzalwan Sub Sector in response to

intelligence inputs about a desperate bid by a large group of highly trained terrorists, fully equipped and armed to the teeth with deadly weapons. Leading from the front and demonstrating the highest standards of tactical acumen, field craft and fire control, this brave heart quickly sited his ambush, correctly appreciating the path that the terrorists would adopt. In a display of sheer unbridled courage coupled with steely grit, Navdeep allowed the unsuspecting terrorists to walk into his trap. Springing his ambush at the last moment, Navdeep singlehandedly engaged and eliminated three hardcore terrorists from close range. Despite being hit and severely injured in the violent return fire, Navdeep, continued to control the encounter, marshalling his

resources with cool presence of mind. Living upto the highest military ideals, despite being grievously injured, he saved the life of his buddy while gunning down a fourth terrorist, before eventually succumbing to his injuries. His gallant action resulted in his team eliminating twelve hardcore terrorists in one of the fiercest encounters on the Line of Control, dealing a crippling body blow to the terrorist groups.

 

5TH BATTALION THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES

Based on receipt of specific info from own and police sources about the

presence of armed cadres of terrorists in general area Rangpisso Gaon, a joint

search operation was launched under the officer with strength of one JCO and

15 ORs alongwith a police team. At 4.30 am, while own troops were cordoning

the village; move of suspected individuals was noticed. On being challenged, the

individuals started firing indiscriminately. He closed on to the terrorists making

use of thick foliage and despite being under heavy effective fire, fired at the

terrorists, killing one of them and injuring another who later succumbed to his

injuries. The rest of the terrorists panicked and tried to escape while spraying

heavy volume of bullets towards own troops. Determined not to let the fleeing

terrorists escape, the officer ordered his troops to change position and pursue

the escaping terrorists that led to the killing of one more terrorist by his party

while apprehending one cadre alive. Arms and Ammunition, money and other

war like stores were recovered from the slain terrorists.

In the face of extreme adversity, inhospitable terrain, and stringent human

rights regulations, the officer displayed utmost physical courage killing two

dreaded terrorists included Commander. In addition, the officer displayed

inspiring leadership and utmost tactical acumen in executing the operation

leading to the killing of another terrorists and apprehending one alive, ensuring

no collateral damage. This act of the officer is testimony to his dauntless

courage, determination and professionalism for which Capt Ashutosh Kumar

has been awarded ‘KIRTI CHAKRA’.

13TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (RAJPUTANA RIFLES)

Lieutenant Colonel Kamaldeep Singh, 18 RR Bn, was mission commander

for Op Maidanpura on 15 July 2011. On receipt of hard intelligence of presence

of five hardcore terrorists in the area in Dist Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, the

officer, at 10.50 pm led five quick reaction teams and established cordon of

target house. After confirmation of presence of terrorists, he tightened the

cordon with another 17 quick reaction team members, thereby sealing all

possible exit routes and evacuated five civilians held hostage. While under fire,

he readjusted his cordon parties to effectively engage the terrorists leading to

immediate elimination of two terrorists. The officer while in close cordon sited a

terrorist bringing down heavy fire onto the cordon party. The officer while

controlling the operation himself maneuvered to an advantageous position

through deft battle craft, eliminated one hard core terrorist and seriously

decapacitated another. In an operation lasting over two days, he displayed

absolute calmness, exemplary tactical acumen, and motivated his troops leading

by personal example.

For his professional acumen, astute leadership, indomitable courage and

personal bravery which led to elimination of five hardcore terrorists, Lieutenant

Colonel Kamaldeep Singh is awarded ‘KIRTI CHAKRA’.

18TH BATTALION THE GRENADIERS REGIMENT 

Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria was born on 28 Aug 1985 at Samba

(J&K). He completed his schooling from KV No 1 Gandhi Nagar,

Jammu. Om completion of his graduation he joined OTA. On 20 Mar

2010 he was commissioned in ASC on attachment to The 18th

Battalion The GRENADIERS Regiment. A second generation officer

whose elder brother Capt Anil Khajuria is presently serving with 22

Assam Rifles and also has a younger sister.

Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria joined the unit at Panzgam on 14 Apr

2010. He was the Ghatak Platoon Commander from the beginning

and soon he was in the thick of the action and was conducting

counter terrorist operations in treacherous mountainous terrain in the

frontiers of District Kupwara Jammu and Kashmir. His first real

encounter was on 29 July 2011, where he gave an excellent account

of himself and the battalion was successful in neutralising one

hardcore terrorist. 

On 26 Sep 2011, based on specific input by higher formation

headquarters and neighbouring formation regarding presence of an

infiltration column of approx 5-6 terrorists in the general area Kopra,

teams were launched to search and destroy the terrorists. Lieutenant

Sushil Khajuria was leading his team in a rugged and difficult terrain

with steep slopes and thick undergrowth. Simultaneously, he was

also coordinating his move with other four teams, who were carrying

out search. While carrying out search of a nalas, he alongwith his

team came under heavy volume of fire. His buddy was pinned down

by accurate fire from the terrorists. Realising that the terrorists were

entrenched in an advantageous position behind a big rock, he

crawled through thick foliage to a flank and spotted the terrorists

under covering fire from his team. 

Unmindful of his personal safety, he charged at the terrorists up

slope killing two of them. Officer continued leading from the front.

The operation resumed on 27 Sep 2011, another team whose leading

scout was Havildar Ravi Kumar got shot by the terrorists at approx

10.30 hrs am and was severely injured. Havildar Ravi Kumar could

not move and was effectively covered by fire by the terrorist.

Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria volunteered to retrieve injured Havildar

Ravi Kumar. He risked himself to move from his present location to

retrieve Havildar Ravi. While crawling towards Havildar, Lieutenant

Sushil Khajuria was fired upon by a terrorist and was injured. He

later succumbed to his injuries and achieved martyrdom. A true “

Braveheart” who will always remain in our hearts.

 Major Ravindra Kumar Gurang, Regiment of

Artillery / 33rd Field Regiment 

Major Shalender, 4th PARACHUTE Regiment (Special

Force). 

 Subedar Manjeet Singh, 4th PARACHUTE Regiment

(Special Force). 

JC-359183W Naib Subedar Mengare Shankar Ganpati, 15th

MARATHA LI. 

JC-470388F Naib Subedar Lal Singh Khichi, Sena Medal, RAJPUTA

Rifles / 57th Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous).