As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of the Indian Soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember, Param Vir Chakra awardee Rifleman Sanjay Kumar who displayed exemplary bravery during the Kargil War.
A native of Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar joined the 13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1996. During the Kargil War on 4th July 1999, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was the leading scout of a team tasked to capture Area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley. During the attack when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged at the enemy.
In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed three of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the second sangar. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and started running. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated.
The brave action on his part motivated his comrades and they overcame the treacherous terrain and charged onto the enemy and wrested the area Flat Top from the hands of the enemy. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the enemy. The Nation salutes him. In February 2022, he received the rank of Subedar Major and is posted to the National Defence Academy in Pune.
