SHAURYA CHAKRA

IC-51655 COLONEL NEERAJ SOOD (POSTHUMOUS)

            Colonel Neeraj Sood Commanding Officer  18 Rashtriya Rifles devised and effected judicious surveillance and ambush plan from 13 June 10 which subsequently resulted in contact with terrorists at 2105 hours on 22 June 2010 in the area of Kupwara (J&K). Astutely sensing that terrorist movement would evade the cordon, the Commanding Officer swiftly deployed his troops to tactically advantageous positions.  Boldly leading from the front, the officer formed the focal point of the cordon re-established contact at 2212 hours on 22 June 2010.             In the ensuing gunfight, Colonel Sood personally targeted and injured one terrorist.  Identifying the key role of Colonel Neeraj Sood, the terrorists concentrated their fire on him.  In the fierce gun battle that ensued, the officer sustained Fatal Gunshot injury.

No- 4076512  HAVILDAR DAYAL SINGH (POSTHUMOUS)

            On 13 Jan 2010 Havildar Dayal Singh as part of the Battalion Intelligence Team was tasked to cordon a suspected house from the rear.  At 2330 hours, while the parties were still getting into position, three terrorists rushed out of the rear door firing indiscriminately.  Havildar Dayal Singh immediately engaged them and blocked their escape route forcing them to take cover in the vicinity.  A firefight ensued with heavy automatic fire from the terrorists desperate to escape.  However, danger to civilians in the hut warranted measured response from own side.  At grave risk to himself and displaying exemplary restraint, Havildar Dayal Singh fired back very selectively preventing any casualties or collateral damage.  Sensible response from him ensured safe evacuation of the trapped civilians while keeping the terrorists pinned down, the NCO, with utter disregard to his own safety, dashed forward and shot dead one terrorist at close quarters.  In the process he was struck by a bullet in the left eye.  Bleeding profusely, he continued to engage the other two till he lost consciousness and later succumbed to his injury.

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No - 14438439 LANCE NAIK ANOOP KUMAR SHARMA (POSTHUMOUS)

            On night 06/07 May 2010 surveillance cum multiple ambushes were launched based on input of presence of terrorists in general area in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.  Lance Naik Anoop Kumar Sharma was the Scout of one such party.  On 07 May 2010 around 0500 hours the individual observed suspicious movement.  On challenging, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire.  Realizing the safety of his comrades at stake, the individual with utter disregard to personal safety, retaliated with effective fire dashed towards the terrorists tactically.  Inspite of being grievously injured in the process with his effective and accurate fire the individual eliminated two terrorists before falling unconscious. Lance Naik Anoop Kumar Sharma displayed indomitable determination and exceptional bravery and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

No - 4282393 SEPOY SHAILESH KUMAR SINGH (POSTHUMOUS)

            On 02 April 2010 during a Seek and Destroy Operation in the Forest in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh has taken position fifty meters away from the location of terrorists and was bringing down effective Multiple Grenade Launcher fire pinning them down.  After a prolonged fire fight two terrorists attempted to break the Security Force Cordon by firing indiscriminately and charging at own troops.  Realizing the danger to own troops as they were under inadequate cover, Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh with utter disregard to own safety swiftly moved forward firing MGL accurately killing two terrorists thereby saving precious lives of own troops.  In the fire fight Sepoy Shailesh Kumar Singh sustained Gun Shot Wound and made the supreme sacrifice.

No - 4579271 SEPOY SANGAT SINGH (POSTHUMOUS)

            On 11 May 2010 based on information of unit source about presence of terrorists in a village in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, the village was cordoned off and close cordon was laid on target house.  At approximately 1355 hours the terrorists tried to break the cordon and troops came under indiscriminate fire of terrorists from close range.  Realizing chances of terrorists escaping and safety of his comrades, Sepoy Sangat Singh with utter disregard to his personal safety, crawled through indiscriminate fire and further closed in to the nala next to the target house.  Though critically injured, he took suitable position, brought down effective fire from point blank range and lobbed grenade thereby eliminating two hardcore terrorists single handedly till he fell down unconscious.  The individual’s presence of mind ensured no collateral damage and loss of property.

S Om Singh / Daleep