Hav Rajesh Kumar AC

Havildar Rajesh Kumar hailed from Sonipat district in Haryana, a region with a proud legacy of contributing brave soldiers to the Indian Armed Forces. Born to Shri Ram Kishan and Smt Parmeshwari, he was brought up in an environment that nurtured values of discipline, courage, and patriotism from an early age. After completing his initial education, Havildar Rajesh Kumar was inspired by the call of duty and joined the Indian Army. He was recruited into the 11 Rajputana Rifles, an infantry regiment known for its valour, rich history, and exemplary service in numerous operations. Through his years of service, he upheld the highest traditions of the regiment, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment to the nation.

Kupwara Operation: 01 Aug 2009

During 2009, Havildar Rajesh Kumar was serving with his unit in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, a region known for its challenging terrain and vulnerability to cross-border infiltration due to the dense forests and rugged mountains. As part of their ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration duties, the unit regularly conducted patrols and search operations to monitor and neutralize militant threats. On 1st August 2009, acting on credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the area, a search and destroy operation was launched by the Ghatak platoon, the elite assault unit of the battalion. Hav Rajesh Kumar, a battle-hardened and courageous soldier, was tasked with leading a section of this assault team. As the team advanced into the dense forest cover of Kupwara, they suddenly came under heavy and indiscriminate fire from hidden terrorists. Reacting swiftly and with tactical acumen, Hav Rajesh Kumar led his section into the undergrowth to flank the enemy. Showing remarkable courage and presence of mind under fire, he maneuvered around the flank and successfully eliminated one terrorist in close combat.

As the team pressed on with the search, they were ambushed again, this time by two terrorists positioned on higher ground. Understanding the gravity of the situation and the threat posed to his comrades, Hav Rajesh Kumar once again took the initiative. Braving a barrage of bullets, he advanced toward the enemy and managed to neutralize the second terrorist, even after sustaining gunshot wounds to his abdomen. Despite his grave injuries, Hav Rajesh Kumar's determination remained unshaken. Driven by the desire to protect his team, he continued to fight and engaged a third terrorist from behind. In a fierce hand-to-hand combat, he succeeded in eliminating the militant. However, the valiant soldier had sustained severe wounds by then and later succumbed to his injuries, laying down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. For his extraordinary bravery, leadership, indomitable fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice in the face of grave danger, Havildar Rajesh Kumar was posthumously awarded the "Ashok Chakra", India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

Havildar Rajesh Kumar is survived by his wife, Smt Beeta Devi. 

The citation for "Ashok Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 01 August 2009, a section of Ghatak team searching the dense forest in Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir was subjected to intense and indiscriminate firing by terrorists. Havildar Rajesh Kumar, who was leading the section, returned fire and scrambled into the undergrowth to outflank the terrorist. With dogged determination he closed-in around the flank and killed the terrorist. While continuing the search, the team was again engaged by two terrorists positioned upslope. Realizing the danger to the lives of his teammates, Hav Rajesh Kumar moved to outflank one of the terrorists through a veritable hail of bullets. While closing-in, he sustained gun-shot wounds in the abdomen. Disregarding his grievous wounds, he shot and killed the second terrorist. Bleeding profusely, he moved to outflank the third terrorist from his blind side and engaged him in fierce hand to hand combat killing the terrorist with a burst of fire, before succumbing to his injuries.

Hav Rajesh Kumar showed unparalleled feat of most conspicuous gallantry, fortitude and the rare spirit of self-sacrifice in fighting the terrorists.

• A residential enclave containing 288 residential quarters in the Military Station at Abhohar has been named after Hav Rajesh Kumar. Smt Beeta Devi, wife of  Hav Rajesh Kumar inaugurated the enclave in the presence of GOC Maj Gen Bipin Bakshi and other senior officials.