Service No : IC-51655
Date of Birth : November 22, 1970
Place of birth : Delhi
Service : Army
Last Rank : Colonel
Unit : 18 RR/8 Raj Rif
Arm/Regt : The Rajputana Rifles
Awards : Shaurya Chakra
Martyrdom : June 22, 2010
Colonel Neeraj Sood SC
Colonel Neeraj Sood hailed from Delhi and was born on 22 Nov 1970. Son of Shri VK Sood and Smt Chander Prabha Sood, he had an elder brother Pankaj as his sibling. He grew up in different places as his father served in Military Engineering Service (MES). He had the inclination to join the Armed Forces since his younger days and continued to follow his passion while growing up. Besides his deep interest in the Army life, Col Neeraj was a keen sportsman too. During his school days, he proved himself to be a good athlete and would often win prizes in races and other track events. He passed out of the Indian Military Academy Dehradun as a 2nd Lieutenant on 22 Dec 1992 at the age of 22 years. He was commissioned into 8 Raj Rif Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its gallant soldiers and numerous battle exploits.
By 2010, Col Neeraj had put in about 18 years of service and developed into a battle-hardened soldier and an officer par excellence. During this period he served in various challenging operational areas including 8 years in J & K. After serving for many years with his parent regiment, Col Neeraj was deputed to serve with 18 RR battalion and became its 'Commanding Officer'. By June 2010, Col Neeraj had already completed nearly 5 years in J & K area and was due for a transfer.
Kupwara Operation: 22 June 2010
During 2010, Colonel Neeraj Sood’s 18 RR battalion was deployed along the LOC in the Kulgam sector in the Kupwara district of J & K. His battalion was part of the "Counter Insurgency Force (Kilo Force)" functioning under the operational control of XV Corps of Indian Army. The LOC in that sector was very volatile and active where the enemy often resorted to unprovoked firing. It needed to be monitored and guarded by the security forces by employing armed patrols on a continuous basis. On the night of 22 Jun 2010, Col Neeraj Sood's unit had received the information about the militants entering into its AOR(Area of responsibility). As the 'Commanding Officer' of the unit, he immediately planned a counter-insurgency operation and formed two teams to take on the militants. Having realized the critical nature of the operation, Col Neeraj decided to lead the operation himself along with a few other officers.
Col Neeraj Sood along with his team reached the suspected area in the forests of Saiwan village in Kupwara district, around 100 km from Srinagar. Soon the troops made contact with the militants, who fired at them on being challenged. The militants using automatic weapons fired indiscriminately at the soldiers to break the cordon and flee. However, Col Neeraj continued to direct his troops to foil their attempt by using the thick foliage of the jungle to flee. But during the fierce gun battle, Col Neeraj got hit by a gunshot in his neck and was seriously injured. He was shifted to the military hospital but he later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Col Neeraj Sood was a valiant soldier and an outstanding commanding officer, who led his men from the front like a good military leader. He was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” for his exceptional courage, leadership, camaraderie, and supreme sacrifice.
Col Neeraj Sood is survived by his father Shri VK Sood, mother Smt Chander Prabha Sood, wife Smt Preeti Sood, daughter Ms Mishika, and elder brother Shri Pankaj Sood.
Anuj Dayal
2024 at 12:39 pmJai hind
Om Shanti
Subodh kumar sharma
2024 at 12:40 pmHe was a brave, brilliant, best sportsman, a real hero our country.
Vipul Sood
2024 at 12:40 pmHe was a true hero , we all miss him a lot . JAI HIND
AJAY Deshraj Kumar
2024 at 12:41 pmHow can we ever even being to thank these valiant sons of our country who selflessly gave up everything in order to safeguard the honour of our motherland mere words seem so hollow I am just glad we can call these brave men our brothers
Thank you my brothers