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Mohit Sharma (soldier)

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Major

Mohit Sharma

AC, SM
Born(1978-01-13)13 January 1978
Rohtak, Haryana.
Died21 March 2009(2009-03-21) (aged 31)
Haphruda Forest, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir
AllegianceIndia India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1999-2009
Rank Major
Service numberIC-59066[1]
Unit1 Para (SF)
Awards
Alma materNational Defence Academy

Major Mohit Sharma, AC, SM (13 January 1978 - 21 March 2009) was an Indian Army Officer who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace-time military decoration. Maj Sharma was from the elite 1st Para SF.[2] He was martyred in action on 21 March 2009 while leading his Bravo Assault Team during a counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara district.

On 21 March 2009, he engaged in an encounter with terrorists in the Hafruda forest of the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He killed four terrorists and rescued two teammates in the process, but sustained multiple gunshot wounds which killed him. For this act, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, which is the highest peace time military decoration in India.[3] He was awarded two gallantry decorations earlier in his career. The first was the COAS Commendation card for exemplary counter-terrorism duties during Operation Rakshak, which was followed by a Sena Medal for gallantry after a covert operation in 2005.[2][4][5][6]

In 2019, Delhi Metro Corporation renamed the Rajendra Nagar metro station as "Major Mohit Sharma (Rajendra Nagar) metro station".[7]

Early life and education

Mohit was born on 13 January 1978 in Rohtak, Haryana in a Brahmin family. His nickname in family was "Chintu" while his NDA batch mates call him "Mike". He completed his 12th schooling from DPS Ghaziabad in 1995 after which he appeared for his NDA Exam.[clarification needed] At the same time he got admission to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon, Maharashtra, during which he cleared the SSB exam and joined the National Defence Academy (NDA).[8]

Military career

In 1995, Major Mohit Sharma left Engineering and joined NDA to pursue his dream. During his NDA training, he excelled in multiple activities including swimming, boxing and horse riding. His favourite horse was "Indira". He, under the training of Col Bhawani Singh, became the champion of horse riding. He was also a winner in Boxing under feather weight category.

After completing his academics studies in NDA, he joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in 1998. In IMA, he was awarded the rank of Battalion Cadet Adjutant. He got a chance to meet the then President of India K. R. Narayanan at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was commissioned a lieutenant on 11 December 1999.[9]

His first posting was Hyderabad in 5th Battalion The Madras Regiment (5 Madras). On completing 3 successful years of Military service, Major Mohit opted for the Para (Special Forces) and he became a trained Para Commando in June 2003, followed by promotion to captain on 11 December.[10] He was then posted in Kashmir where he showed his leadership and bravery. Promoted major on 11 December 2005,[11] he was awarded with the Sena Medal for his bravery. During the third posting, he was given the responsibility to train the Commandos in Belgaum where he instructed for 2 years. Mohit Sharma was then again moved to Kashmir where he made the supreme sacrifice.[12]

Ashoka Chakra

Maj Mohit's wife, Maj Rishima Sharma receiving the Ashok Chakra

For the supreme sacrifice made by Major Mohit Sharma during Kupwara operation, he was awarded with the nation's highest peace time gallantry award ‘Ashok Chakra’ on January 26, 2010.

CITATION

MOHIT SHARMA

1 PARA (SF)

Major Mohit Sharma, SM was leading Bravo Assault Team in operations in Kupwara District of North Kashmir. A valiant warrior, he excelled in the art of fighting guerrillas in jungle terrain having earlier spent four years in Jammu & Kashmir. On 21 March 2009, after receiving information of presence of some infiltrating terrorists in dense Haphruda Forest, he planned meticulously and led his commandos in tracking them. On observing suspicious movement, he alerted his scouts but terrorists fired from three directions indiscriminately. In the heavy exchange of fire, four commandos were wounded immediately. With complete disregard to his safety, he crawled and recovered two soldiers to safety. Unmindful of the overwhelming fire, he threw grenades and killed two terrorists but was shot in the chest. In the brief respite that followed, he kept directing his commandos, in spite of serious injuries. Sensing further danger to his comrades, he charged in a daring close quarter combat killing two more terrorists and attained martyrdom fighting for his motherland in the finest traditions of Indian Army.

For this act of conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional courage far beyond call of duty, Major Mohit Sharma, SM was awarded ‘Ashok Chakra’ (Posthumous) on 15 Aug 09.

— Gazette of India Notification, [13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mohit Sharma, SM". Archived from the original on 2018-03-22. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Bravehearts all: Mohit Sharma, Sreeram Kumar get Ashoka Chakras". Times of India. Archived from the original on 2015-12-21. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Ashok Chakra for Mohit Sharma, Sreeram Kumar". August 15, 2009 – via www.thehindu.com.
  4. ^ "Battle for 'respect': In-laws, parents fight over martyr's memory - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2016-03-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-03-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/delhi-metro-red-line-two-metro-stations-on-dilshad-garden-new-bus-adda-corridor-to-be-renamed-heres-why/1499028/
  8. ^ Team, Editorial (2018-03-26). "Inspiring Story of Major Mohit Sharma - 1st PARA (Special Forces)". SSBToSuccess. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  9. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 2 December 2000. p. 1650.
  10. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 31 July 2004. p. 1055.
  11. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 29 April 2006. p. 602.
  12. ^ "Major Mohit Sharma AC SM - Honourpoint". Honourpoint. Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  13. ^ Archived copy, archived from the original on 2018-03-27, retrieved 2018-03-26{{citation}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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