Captain Kapil Kundu

Captain Kapil Kundu hailed from Ransika village in Gurgaon district of Haryana. Capt Kapil Kundu belonged to 15 JAK LI unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, a Regiment known for its valiant soldiers and numerous battle honours.

A young army officer Capt Kapil Kundu, who was supposed to celebrate his 23rd birthday on 10th of Feb 2018, was a dedicated soldier and a fine officer. An alumnus of Divine Dell International school in Pataudi district, Capt Kapil Kundu was brilliant in academics during his student days. He loved cats and was also a poet penning many poems.

LoC Firing (Rajouri sector) : 04 Feb 2018

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir. The LoC is highly active and volatile where ceasefire violations occur very often and without any warning. The year 2017, recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations in the past decade resulting in the death of 35 people, including 19 army personnel and four BSF men. In another case of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire in Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri district along the LoC on 04 Feb 2018.

On 04 Feb 2018, at around 3 pm Pakistan Army troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian posts from across the border in the Bhimber Gali, prompting the Indian troops guarding the LoC to retaliate strongly and effectively. The forward Indian posts which came under attack were being manned by the troops of 15 JAK Li. The firing was not only limited to small arms or mortars, but they also used anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) in a bunker-busting role. The attack was very heavy and prompted the civil administration to close all 84 schools in Rajouri district as a precautionary measure and also activate their emergency evacuation team.

Indian Army gave a befitting reply and a fierce cross-border exchange of fire ensued. During this heavy exchange of fire Capt Kapil Kundu, who was on duty on one of the forward posts got seriously wounded along with three more soldiers of his unit. Capt Kapil Kundu and three other soldiers Hav Roshan Lal, Rifleman Subham Singh & Rifleman Ramavtar later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Capt Kapil Kundu was a committed soldier and a fine officer who laid down his life in the service of the nation.

Capt Kapil Kundu is survived by his mother Smt Sunita Kundu and sisters Sonia and Kajal.