2nd Lt Rishi Ashok Malhotra KC

2nd Lieutenant Rishi Ashok Malhotra hailed from Bharatpur district in Rajasthan and was born on 13 December 1971. Son of Smt Prem Malhotra, he spent much of his formative years in Pune, where he completed his schooling at Loyola High School. From an early age, he displayed a fine blend of academic excellence, discipline, and curiosity about the world around him. During his school years, his meritorious performance earned him selection for the prestigious Rotary Youth Exchange Program while he was in Class XII. As part of this program, he spent a year at Upper Dublin High School in Philadelphia, USA—an experience that broadened his perspective and strengthened his confidence and adaptability at a young age. Upon returning to India, he pursued his undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Fergusson College, Pune, and graduated in 1992. Driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to serve the nation, he appeared for the Combined Defence Services Examination in the same year and successfully secured selection into the Indian Army.

He joined the Officers Training Academy in July 1992 at the age of 20. Through rigorous training, he honed his leadership skills, physical endurance, and military acumen. On 11 December 1993, he was commissioned as an officer into the 8th Battalion of The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment—one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished infantry regiments, renowned for its valour and rich battle legacy. Following his commissioning, 2nd Lieutenant Malhotra was posted to the Kashmir Valley for his first operational assignment, where he began his service in one of the most challenging and sensitive regions of the country, embodying the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Doda Operation: 18 May 1994

During May 1994, 2nd Lieutenant Rishi Ashok Malhotra’s unit was deployed in the militancy-affected region of the Kashmir Valley. The Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the unit was highly active with insurgent presence, necessitating frequent and sustained counter-insurgency operations. Despite being a young officer, 2nd Lt Rishi quickly adapted to the challenging operational environment, gaining valuable field experience and sharpening his tactical and field-craft skills. Acting on credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the Lai Dramman area of Doda district, a Search and Destroy operation was planned on 18 May 1994. Demonstrating initiative and leadership beyond his years, 2nd Lt Rishi was entrusted with leading the mission. Understanding the importance of surprise in such operations, he deliberately chose a highly arduous and unconventional route through dense, high-altitude jungle terrain. Displaying exceptional endurance and determination, he led his team over a grueling distance of nearly 30 kilometers across two consecutive nights. This calculated move enabled his column to approach the target area undetected. In the early hours of 20 May 1994, 2nd Lt Rishi and his team successfully reached the suspected location and swiftly established a cordon. Their stealthy approach caught the militants completely off guard. Seizing the initiative, 2nd Lt Rishi advanced towards the hideout and opened fire, triggering a fierce and prolonged gun battle.

Exhibiting exemplary courage and leadership, he led from the front, continuously pressing forward under intense enemy fire. As he closed in on the hideout, he was struck by multiple gunshots in the chest. Gravely wounded, he refused to withdraw. Displaying extraordinary resolve and indomitable spirit, he continued his advance and reached the militant hideout. In a final act of unmatched bravery, 2nd Lt Rishi engaged the militants at close quarters and eliminated two of them before succumbing to his injuries. He made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, even before attaining the age of 23. 2nd Lieutenant Rishi Ashok Malhotra embodied the finest traditions of the Indian Army—courage, leadership, and selfless service. For his exceptional gallantry, unflinching determination, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

The citation for the “Kirti Chakra” awarded to him reads:

On 18th May 1994, Second Lieutenant Rishi Ashok Malhotra of 8 Maratha light infantry was tasked to search and destroy a hideout of militants in the area of Lai Dramman in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra led one platoon and selected an extremely difficult route in hide altitude jungle terrain to achieve surprise. After covering a distance of 30 Km over two consecutive nights, Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra cordoned off the militant hideout during the early morning hours of 20 May 1994. The move of his column with utmost stealth and guile took the militants by complete surprise. He then moved towards the hideout and engaged the militants with a very heavy volume of fire. Unmindful of his personal safety and displaying valour of an extremely high order, Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra kept advancing towards the hideout. An intense firefight with the militants ensued at close quarters during which the actions of Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra were conspicuously aggressive and exemplary. He received bullet wounds on the chest while covering the last few yards to the hideout. Despite being gravely injured, he reached the hideout and killed two anti-national elements at point-blank range before succumbing to his wounds. The two dead bodies of militants along with two AK-56 rifles just a few paces from where the officer expired was a testimony to the raw guts and unflinching resolve of Second Lieutenant Rishi Ashok Malhotra.

For this supreme act of valour and sacrifice, Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra was awarded ” Kirti Chakra” (Posthumously).

• A chowk to honour 2nd Lt Rishi Ashok Malhotra has been named after him in Aundh Pune.
• A complex has been named as Rishi Complex in an Army cantonment.
• Loyola High School Pune where 2nd Lt Rishi Ashok Malhotra studied has instituted a scholarship in his memory.