Capt Tarun Kumar SC

During 1998, Capt Tarun Kumar was serving with 4 Rashtriya Rifles unit, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.  The area of responsibility (AOR) of the unit fell in Kupwara district which was a terrorist infested area and offered challenging situations on a regular basis. On 9th of August 1998, the unit received information from the intelligence sources about the presence of some hard core terrorists in the area under its control. A decision was taken to launch a search and destroy operation to deal with the dreaded terrorists.

Capt Tarun Kumar was part of the team that spearheaded the operation. The team surrounded the suspected area and soon spotted the terrorists, who opened fire at the soldiers on being challenged. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter  lasting several hours. Capt Tarun and his team displaying superior field-craft skills succeeded in eliminating a number of terrorists. However, during this heavy exchange of fire Capt Tarun Kumar got severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries. During the operation Capt Tarun Kumar displayed outstanding courage and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Capt Tarun Kumar was given the nation’s third highest gallantry award “Shaurya Chakra” for his bravery, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

Capt Tarun Kumar is survived by his father Lt Col VK Trihima(Retd), mother Smt Bindoo Trihima, wife, daughter Mayuraakshi, and sister Smt Anjali Trihima Basra.