Capt Sameer J Roy Choudhury

Capt Sameer J Roy Choudhury hailed from Secunderabad and was born on 06 July 1980. He did his schooling at St Patrick's High School Secunderabad and excelled in various activities at school. He was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his childhood and led the NCC wing in his school. Following his heart, he eventually joined the Army and was commissioned into the Corps of Signals, an arm of the Indian Army that maintains its military communications. The Corps ensures the provision of reliable and responsive communications to the Army under tough battlefield conditions with a motto – “TEEVRACHAUKAS” or “Swift and Secure”.

Capt SJR Choudhury gradually developed into a tough soldier gaining expertise in field operations. Very soon in his career, he was deputed to serve with 19 Assam Rif battalion, of Assam Rifles deployed in Manipur for counter-insurgency operations. He got engaged in late 2006 but destiny had something else in store for him.

Operation Hifazat: 03 Nov 2006

During 2006, Capt SJR Choudhury's unit 19 Assam Rif was deployed in Manipur under 'Operation Hifazat' and was engaged in operations against the insurgents on a regular basis. The AOR(Area of Responsibility) of the unit was prone to random attacks by the insurgents and demanded a high level of alertness from the soldiers. The prolonged deployment in remote and inaccessible areas with hostile weather conditions often led to high-stress levels among the soldiers. On 03 Nov 2006, under very strange and unexpected circumstances, one soldier of the unit Hav Avdesh Singh went berserk and attacked his own unit personnel including Capt SJR Choudhury.

As the action by the soldier was bizarre and too sudden, there was no time for anyone to take any evasive action. Consequently, Capt SJR Choudhury and a junior commissioned officer Sub Ranjit Mamon got critically injured and later succumbed to their injuries. Capt SJR Choudhury was a true soldier and an officer par excellence, who lost his life in the line of his duty under very unfortunate circumstances.

Capt SJR Choudhury is survived by his parents and sister.

• Capt SJR Choudhury's mother Dr Sophia Roy Choudhury has established a foundation called "Cosmic Wisdom Foundation" in his honour. The Foundation has created special modules to deal with PTSD and related issues for Defense & Police Personnel. The Healing services are offered using ancient Shamanic & Tao approaches. More details are available at https://cosmicwisdomfoundation.com/.