Ajay Singh Jasrotia
Ajay Singh Jasrotia | |
|---|---|
| File:Ajay Jasrotia 2.jpg | |
| Born | 31 March 1972 Gandhi Nagar Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Died | 15 June 1999 (aged 28) Dras, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1996 - 1999 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Service number | SS-36635 |
| Unit | 13 JAK RIF |
| Battles/wars | Kargil War Operation Vijay |
| Awards |  Sena Medal |
Major Ajay "Jassi" Singh Jasrotia, SM (31 March 1972 - 15 June 1999) was an Indian military officer with the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK RIF) who gained respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness, and compassion after he laid down his life during Kargil War to save the lives of his six comrades.[1]
He was deployed in Sopore in Baramulla district of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir when the Kargil War broke out. 13 JAK RIF under the command of Lt Gen then Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi was moved to Dras sector as a reserve force.[2]
On 15 June 1999, the base camp came under heavy artillery shelling and six of his soldiers were injured. Amidst heavy artillery shelling which continued unabated, he evacuated the wounded to safety by carrying them on his back. While rescuing the last soldier he was fatally wounded by shrapnel. All of the six lived to tell the tale. He was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal for his courage and sacrifice.[3]
Knowing that he won't survive he refused to be evacuated before his wounded men. [citation needed]
His death played a role in motivating his juniors Captain then Lieutenant Vikram Batra PVC and Colonel then Lieutenant Sanjeev Singh Jamwal VrC to capture Point 5140 without any casualty.[4] Coincidentally Batra was killed in a similar way as Jasrotia during the capture of Point 4875 when he exposed himself to enemy fire while rescuing an injured soldier. [5][6][7]
Early Life
Jasrotia was the grandson of Lt. Col. Khajoor Singh and son of DIG BSF Arjun Singh Jasrotia — a family with military traditions. He was fondly known as “Rambo” during his schooling days in Jammu. [8] He did his primary education from BSF School Paloura in Jammu, senior secondary from Kendriya Vidyalaya Jalandhar Cantt, B.Com. from SPM Commerce College in Jammu, SSB from Allahabad and military training from OTA Chennai.[9]
Legacy
- A road in Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu has been named as Kargil Shaheed Major Ajay Jasrotia Marg to honour his sacrifice.[10]
- Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Park is a park in a Sainik Colony in Jammu with his bust in the center.[11]
- His graduation college dedicated college library to him.[12]
- Shaheed Ajay Jasrotia Gas Agency is a gas agency in a Sainik Colony, Jammu named after him.[13]
- His character was portrayed in the movie LOC: Kargil (2003) by actor Amit Behl and by Nikitin Dheer in Shershaah (2021).[14]
References
- ^ "'I threw the grenade back, but I'd lost 3 of 4 secs before it exploded'remembered". Retrieved 13 July 2019.
- ^ "Maj Ajay Singh Jasrotia SM". Honour point. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Kargil Heroes". Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ Rawat, Rachna Bisht (2014). The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories. Penguin Books India Private Limited. ISBN 9780143422358.
- ^ Cardozo, Ian (2003). Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle. Roli Books Private Limited. p. 124. ISBN 9789351940296.
- ^ Singh, Amarinder (2001). A Ridge Too Far: War in the Kargil Heights 1999. Motibagh Palace. p. 185. ISBN 9788193107416.
- ^ Bammi, Y. M. (2002). Kargil 1999, impregnable conquered. Gorkha Publishers. p. 279. ISBN 9788175253520.
- ^ "Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia". Newsgram. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ "Ajay Jasrotia". Honour Point. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "20 years after Kargil, Jammu martyrs forgotten". Tribune. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ "Kargil martyr Major Ajay Jasrotia remembered". Early Times. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "College Library". Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Shaheed Major Ajay Jasrotia Gas Agency". Grotal. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia". Newsgram. Retrieved 31 July 2021.