Service No : 15133675F

Date of Birth : February 2, 1979

Place of birth : Purnia Dsit (Bihar)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Gunner

Unit : 282 Med Regt

Arm/Regt : The Regiment of Artillery

Operation : Op Parakram

Martyrdom : July 3, 2002

Gunner Sanjit Kumar

Gunner Sanjit Kumar hailed from Dimia Chhatarjan village in the Purnea district of Bihar, a region known for its strong tradition of producing brave and dedicated soldiers. He was born on 2 February 1979 to Shri Ramavatar Sahani and Smt. Dajani Devi in a humble family that instilled in him the values of discipline and hard work from an early age. Tragically, he lost his father at a very young age, and it was his mother who, through great resilience and hardship, single-handedly raised both her sons and shaped their character. He grew up alongside his brother, Mahendra Kumar, who would later follow in his footsteps by joining the Indian Army in the same Regiment of Artillery. From his childhood, Gunner Sanjit Kumar displayed qualities that set him apart. He was not only bright in academics but also excelled in sports, earning recognition for his physical fitness, determination, and competitive spirit. These attributes, combined with a deep sense of national pride and the strong values imparted by his mother, nurtured in him an unwavering desire to serve the nation. Like many young men from his village who aspired to wear the uniform, he was inspired by the ideals of courage, honour, and selfless service.

 

Determined to turn his dream into reality, he joined the Indian Army on 22 October 1997 at the young age of 18, soon after completing his school education. He was recruited into the 282 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, one of the Indian Army’s key combat support arms, renowned for its formidable firepower and crucial role in battlefield operations. Serving in such a prestigious regiment demanded high levels of skill, endurance, and commitment—qualities that Gunner Sanjit Kumar consistently demonstrated during his service. While fulfilling his duties as a soldier, he also embraced the responsibilities of family life. On 16 June 2000, he married Ms. Sima Kumari. Their union was blessed with the birth of their son, Sajjan Kumar, on 4 July 2002. Despite the demanding nature of military service, he remained deeply devoted to his family, balancing his professional responsibilities with his role as a caring husband and father. 

 

Op Parakram (Drass Sector): 02/03 Jul 2002

 

In 2002, during the heightened state of military preparedness under 'Operation Parakram', Gunner Sanjit Kumar was serving with the 282 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, deployed in the Drass sector of Kargil district along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The region, known for its rugged terrain and extreme climatic conditions, posed severe challenges to the troops. The forward posts were located at high altitudes and were frequently subjected to sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, blizzards, and the ever-present danger of avalanches. Despite these harsh conditions, the soldiers remained steadfast in their duty, maintaining constant vigilance along the sensitive border. On 02 July 2002, Pakistani Army troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian positions in the Drass sector. Gunner Sanjit Kumar was manning one of the forward posts at the time. The enemy used mortars and other heavy weapons, triggering a fierce and prolonged exchange of fire. The Indian Army responded resolutely, engaging the adversary with determination and courage as the firefight continued intermittently for several hours. During this intense shelling, Gunner Sanjit Kumar and three of his comrades sustained multiple splinter injuries.

 

The situation was further complicated by continuous enemy fire, which made it impossible for evacuation helicopter to land at the post. Despite being critically wounded, he remained alive for several hours, enduring immense pain. In those final moments, he is believed to have thought of his young wife and newborn child, drawing strength from the very family he had left behind in service of the nation. However, due to the severity of his injuries caused by repeated shelling and gunfire, he eventually succumbed. Besides Gunner Sanjit Kumar, three of his comrades—Gunner Pankaj Kumar, Gunner Kumar Singh, and Gunner S. S. Tomar—also made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on 03 July 2002. He laid down his life at the young age of 23 years, exemplifying extraordinary courage, resilience, and unwavering devotion to duty. 

 

Gunner Sanjit Kumar is survived by his wife Smt Sima Kumari and son Shri Sajjan Kumar.

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1 Comment

  • SAJJAN KUMAR

    2021 at 4:17 pm Reply

    Papa ,I’m proud of you

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