Grenadier Zakir Husain SM

Grenadier Zakir Husain hailed from Softa village of Palwal district in Haryana and was born in the year 1968. He was passionate about serving in the Army since his childhood. Eventually following his passion, he joined the army in the year 1988 after completing his initial education at the age of 20 years. He was inducted into 22 Grenadiers Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its valiant soldiers and various battle honours. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Razia Begam. By the year 1999, he had put in around 11 years of service and developed into a professionally competent and committed soldier. 

Khalubar Operation (Op Vijay): 01-03 July 1999

During June-July 1999, Gdr Zakir Husain's unit was deployed in the Batalik sector of Ladakh and was part of "Operation Vijay". The unit was functioning under the command of the 70 Infantry Brigade with the overall control being with the 3 Infantry Division. By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had intruded well across the LOC, in the Mushkoh, Dras, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The extent of penetration across the LOC varied from 4 to 8 km in each sector. The intrusions in Batalik -Yaldor area were first detected in the first week of May 1999. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the enemy forces, who were not in visible range. On discerning the layout of ground and enemy intrusions, it was decided to first drive a wedge in the enemy intrusion area by opening a corridor to the LOC through the Junk Lungpa and thereafter tackle each area piecemeal. This task was given to 12 JAK LI along with 10 Para(SF) and a company of Ladakh Scouts and was completed by 03 June 1999. However, the enemy continued to occupy the ridges to the West, East, and North. Having secured the corridor through the Junk Langpa, it was decided to capture the other ridges one by one. The enemy's main intrusions and defences were on the Khalubar-Padma Go Ridgeline. Gdr Zakir Husain's unit 22 Grenadiers was tasked to launch an assault operation in this area.

Khalubar-Padma Go Ridge comprised the features of Pt 4812, Khalubar, Pt 5287, Pt 5000and Stangba. 70 Infantry Brigade decided to use the elements of 22 Grenadiers, 12 JAK LI, 1/11 GR, and Ladakh Scouts to capture these features. 22 Grenadiers were tasked to capture Khalubar and Pt 5287 complex. These were the most formidable defences of the enemy and were very challenging to capture. The attack commenced on the night of 30 June/01 July. Gdr Zakir Husain and his comrades led by Major Ajit Singh Shekhawat, managed to reach the objective but were counter-attacked by the enemy resulting in fierce fighting. Heavily outnumbered, the Grenadiers fought continuously for three nights inching forward, unmindful of the numerous losses. Pakistanis became impatient over Gdr Zakir Husain and his comrades' resilience and asked their artillery to redouble the barrage. The fighting continued at an elevation of thousands of feet, amidst heavily fortified bunkers equipped with artillery and automatic weapons.

However, during the exchange of fire, Gdr Zakir Husain got severely injured and soon succumbed to his injuries on 03 July 1999. The troops of 1/11 GR too joined the battle of Khalubar later and eventually, it was captured. Gdr Zakir Husain and the other soldiers of 22 Grenadiers played a significant role in this battle for the capture of Khalubar and Pt 5287 complex. Besides Gdr Zakir Husain, the other martyred brave hearts of 22 Grenadiers during the operation included CQMH Amruddin, Hav Raj Kumar, Hav Lekh Ram, Nk Niraj Kumar, Nk Ahmed Ali Mewati, Nk Abid Khan SM, Nk Riasat Ali, Gdr RizwanTyagi, Gdr Zubair Ahmad, Gdr Hasan Muhammad, Gdr Arvindra Singh, Gdr Hassan Ali Khan, Gdr J P Singh Yadav and Gdr M I Khan. Gdr Zakir Husain was a brave and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 31 years in the line of his duty. Gdr Zakir Husain was awarded the "Sena Medal" posthumously  for his commendable gallantry, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. 

Gdr Zakir Husain is survived by his wife Smt Razia Begam.