Service No : IC-48774A
Date of Birth : May 25, 1966
Place of birth : Mathura, (UP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Captain
Unit : 11 RR/17 Mech Inf
Arm/Regt : Mechanised Infantry
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Awards : Shaurya Chakra
Martyrdom : March 4, 1995
Capt Rakesh Sharma SC
Capt Rakesh Sharma was born on 25 May 1966 and hailed from Bharna Kala Govardhan village in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Son of an Army veteran Hony Capt Harihar Sharma, Capt Rakesh did his initial schooling from Jhansi and Bareilly. Later he got admitted to Military School Dholpur in Rajasthan on 05 July 1976 in class VI. It was at this place where the foundation of his future military career was laid. After completing his class XII, he went on to do his graduation from Pune and also acquired his NCC "C" certificate.
In the year 1986, he participated in the Republic Day Parade as part of NCC contingent and was awarded as the best cadet by the President. He was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his childhood and continued to follow his dream while growing up. Eventually his dream came true and he was selected to join the Army after his graduation. He went to IMA Dehradun and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 10 June 1989 at the age of 23 years. He got commissioned into 17 Mech Inf battalion of Mechanized Infantry Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its dauntless soldiers and numerous battle exploits.
As a young Lieutenant, he got posted to his battalion and in a short span of time gained expertise in field operations. He handled various responsibilities while serving with his unit and functioned as Platoon Commander, Battalion Adjutant and then as Company Commander. He soon developed into a committed soldier and gutsy officer who commanded respect of his seniors and juniors as well. Later he was deputed to serve with the 11 Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. During this tenure, he participated in a number of counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations and proved his mettle on various occasions.
Operation Snowman : March 1995
During 1995, Capt Rakesh Sharma was serving with 11 RR battalion deployed in Doda district in J&K. As the AOR (Area of Responsibility) of the battalion was near the LOC, the troops were involved in counter-insurgency as well as counter-infiltration operations on a regular basis. During late Feb 1995, information was received from the intelligence sources about the presence of a terrorist training camp in Bhalla area in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district. A decision was taken by the security forces to launch an operation to neutralize the camp. Capt Rakesh Sharma was assigned the task of leading this critical operation along with a team of soldiers. Capt Rakesh Sharma carried out a detailed recce of the suspected area on 02 Mar 1995 to gather vital information required for planning the operation.
The suspected camp was located on a feature with a height of about 11000 feet. Capt Rakesh Sharma decided to scale the feature following a route that ensured an element of surprise. Capt Rakesh Sharma launched the operation in the early morning of 04 Mar 1995 leading a team of an officer, 4 JCOs and 65 other ranks. Capt Rakesh Sharma and his men succeeded in maintaining surprise and cordoned off the area. On issuing warning, when the terrorists did not surrender, a fierce gun battle ensued. However reeling under an aggressive attack a large number of the terrorists eventually surrendered. Capt Rakesh Sharma then entered the camp for the mop up operation to deal with the residual elements. He soon came under attack by two hiding terrorists, who fired at him with their automatic weapons.
Capt Rakesh Sharma immediately swung into action and eliminated one of them and injured the other. However the second terrorist managed to turn around and shoot at Capt Rakesh Sharma. Capt Rakesh Sharma got severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Capt Rakesh Sharma was a valiant soldier and gritty officer, who led from the front and laid down his life at the age of 28 years in the line of his duty following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Capt Rakesh Sharma was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” for his extraordinary courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice.
Capt Rakesh Sharma is survived by his wife Smt Indu Sharma.
17 Comments
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केप्ट्न हरिहर शर्मा
2021 at 4:04 pmअति उत्तम व महत्वपूर्ण प्रस्तुति
caiptan harihar sharma
2021 at 4:08 pmअति उत्तम प्रस्तुति
Rajesh Saklani
2021 at 12:39 pmभारतीय सैनिक की शौर्य गाथा के लिए शब्द हमेशा कम पड़ेंगे। ऐसे ही रणबाँकुरों में से एक थे कैप्टेन राकेश शर्मा, शौर्य चक्र (मरणोपरांत)। साहसी, धर्मनिष्ठ और कर्तव्यनिष्ठ कै. राकेश मृदु स्वभाव के थे लेकिन इस मृदुलता के अन्दर तपा हुआ फौलाद था। ‘हत्वा तु प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं, जित्वा तु भोक्ष्यसे महीम्’ भगवान द्वारा कहे वचनों को चरितार्थ किया। वे हमेशा अमर रहेंगे। मुझे गर्व है कि मुझे उनके साथ काम करने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ।
Sama dayanand
2022 at 10:31 amSir yr hero of the indian our bad luck that we lose you sir we help less sorry sir
Krishna Murari
2021 at 10:33 amMy felt goosebumps while reading the story of valour of this son of nation. Great respect to the family. Generations to come should get inspired from him. My heart felt homage.
Jitendra SHarma
2022 at 4:52 pmThe real hero in our country do not come out publicly, but act with bravely. Capt Rakesh Sharma, really acted bravely and sacrificed himself for the nation. Jai Hind.
Sonu
2023 at 10:50 pmWe salute you.