Paratrooper Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker SM

Paratrooper Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker hailed from the Shopian district of Jammu And Kashmir. After completing his preliminary education, he joined the Army and was recruited into the Parachute Regiment of the Indian army. Later on, he joined 1 Para (Special Forces), the elite unit of the Indian Army and also known as  "Red Devils". 

Sopore Operation: 23 Feb 2010

During 2010, Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker's unit 1 Para(SF) was deployed in J&K for counterinsurgency operations. On 22 Feb 2010, the security forces had received information from intelligence sources about the presence of militants in Chinkipora village in Sopore district in J & K. It was decided to launch a search and destroy operation to nab the hardcore militants and the task was assigned to 1 Para(SF) unit. Capt Devinder Singh Jass was chosen to lead the operation along with his troops. Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker was part of his team that was assigned the task.  Capt Jass and his team swung into action and launched the operation in the wee hours of 23 Feb 2010. The militants were hiding in a residential building in the suspected area, which was cordoned off in a well-planned move.

On being challenged the militants opened fire at the troops and a fierce gun battle ensued. At 4.45 AM the assault team led by Capt Jass decided to storm the suspected building. The militants had anticipated this action and had positioned themselves at vantage points inside the building. They were heavily armed and were sizable in numbers. When Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad and his comrades stormed the building and moved forward to open the door, they were attacked from various directions, with militants using automatic weapons and hand grenades. A heavy exchange of fire followed and the troops managed to kill two militants in a daring action.

However, during the gun battle, Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad and two more brave hearts got seriously injured and later succumbed to their injuries. Besides Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad, the other martyred soldiers included Capt Devinder Singh Jass( Later awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously) and Naik Selva Kumar P (Later awarded Sena Medal posthumously). Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad displayed remarkable courage and bravery during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation. Ptr Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

•  A Government Degree College in Shopian district (Jammu and Kashmir) has been named as "Imtiaz Ahmad Thoker Memorial Govt Model Degree College" in his honour.