Captain Dhanwant Sharma SM

Capt Dhanwant Sharma hailed from Morwa village of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. Son of an army veteran Col Kishan Lal Sharma, he always wanted to don the military uniform like his father right from his younger days. Eventually he got selected for the National Defence Academy after completing his school in the year 1987. He joined the 79th NDA Course and excelled in various aspects of training. The appointment of CSM was a coveted appointment and was given to only the best cadets based on their previous performance in various aspects of training. He performed very well and emerged among the top 50 cadets of the NDA 'Order of Merit' , passing out as the Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM) of India Squadron on 1 December 1990. 

Known as Dhanno among his friends, he was a gentleman to the core and had a tremendous spirit. He was a keen sportsman too and was awarded the NDA Blue for his proficiency in the volleyball game. He later went to IMA Dehradun as part of the 89 Regular Course for further training. He passed out of IMA Dehradun on 14 Dec 1991 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into 299 Med Regt of the Regiment of artillery, the combat support arm of the Indian Army well known for its booming guns and heavy weaponry. After completing his training he joined his Regiment and honed his field craft skills. He also got deployed in Siachen Glacier from October 1993 to March 1994 and served there under difficult conditions facing many operational challenges.  

Op Rakshak: 22 Jun 1994

During 1994, Capt Dhanwant Sharma's unit 299 Med Regt was deployed in the Kashmir Valley as part of “Operation Rakshak”. On 22 June 1994, the unit got intelligence input regarding the presence of some terrorists in Khanan village in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. As a result the unit decided to launch a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) by team comprising two Officers, three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 30 other ranks. Capt Dhanwant Sharma and Capt Ajit Singh were the two officers leading the operation. Capt Dhanwant Sharma and his comrades swung into action and set off for the suspected area. 

While moving towards Khanan village on the outskirts, Capt Dhanwant Sharma and his soldiers came under Light Machine Gun fire. Capt Dhanwant Sharma rising to the occasion, quickly redeployed his troops and immediately retaliated. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with heavy exchange of fire. During this process, Capt Dhanwant Sharma suffered bullet injuries below his stomach. Undeterred, with utter disregard to his own personal safety, Capt Dhanwant continued to lead the operation from the front exercising full command and control, which led to two terrorists being eliminated. In the ensuing operation Capt Ajit Singh too got hurt. As Capt Dhanwant lay dying in the lap of a JCO who had rushed to his aid, his last words were: “Sahib, main toh chala. Capt Ajit Singh ko bacha lo” (Sahib, I am leaving forever, please save Capt Ajit Singh). Capt Dhanwant Sharma was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence,  who laid down his life at the age of 24 years in the line of his duty. He was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his commendable bravery, devotion to duty, camaraderie and supreme sacrifice.

• A school has been named as "CAPTAIN DHANWANT SHARMA GOVT. SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL" in his honour at Morwa village of Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.
• 299 Medium Regiment observes “Balidaan Diwas” and organizes a blood donation camp in the memory of Capt Dhanwant Sharma, SM, on 22 June every year.