Hav Sheo Ram SM

Havildar Sheo Ram hailed from Tiba Basat village, located in Khetri Tehsil of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan—a region known for its strong martial traditions and generations of men who have served the nation with dedication and honour. Raised in this environment of discipline and patriotism, he developed a deep sense of duty from an early age. He joined the Indian Army in the year 2000 and went on to serve the nation with distinction for 18 years. During his long and devoted service career, Hav Sheo Ram was deployed in several challenging and operationally sensitive areas across the country, where he consistently displayed professionalism, resilience, and commitment to duty.

After rendering many years of dedicated service with his parent unit, he was deputed to serve with 55 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, which was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. In this role, he operated in a high-risk environment, undertaking arduous missions aimed at maintaining security and safeguarding peace in the region. On the personal front, Hav Sheo Ram was married to Ms. Sunita Devi, and the couple was blessed with a son. 

Pulwama Operation: 18 Feb 2019

During 2018–2019, Havaldar Sheo Ram’s unit, 55 Rashtriya Rifles, was deployed in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, where it was regularly engaged in counter-insurgency operations in an area affected by persistent militant activity. Following the terrorist attack on the CRPF convoy on 14 February 2019, security forces across the region were placed on a heightened state of alert, and a large-scale operation was launched to track down and neutralise those responsible for the attack. On 17 February 2019, credible intelligence inputs were received regarding the presence of terrorists in Pinglan village, a neighbourhood of Kakpora in Pulwama district, which was identified as the home area of the suicide bomber involved in the attack. Acting swiftly on this information, 55 Rashtriya Rifles, in coordination with the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched a meticulously planned search-and-destroy operation to eliminate the terrorists. The assault team for the operation was led personally by Brigadier Harbir Singh, with Havaldar Sheo Ram forming an integral part of the team. As the security forces closed in on the hideout, the terrorists, upon being challenged, opened indiscriminate fire. This led to a fierce and prolonged gun battle, which continued for over 20 hours under extremely hazardous conditions.

During the encounter, several hardcore terrorists responsible for the 14 February CRPF convoy attack were successfully neutralised. However, the intense exchange of fire resulted in eleven security personnel sustaining serious injuries, including the commander of the assault team. All injured soldiers were evacuated to the Army Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Tragically, despite the best medical efforts, Havildar Sheo Ram, along with Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, Sepoy Ajay Kumar, and Sepoy Hari Singh, succumbed to their injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. Hav Sheo Ram proved himself to be a brave, resolute, and deeply committed soldier, who displayed exemplary courage and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave danger. His supreme sacrifice stands as a shining example of the highest traditions of the Indian Army. In recognition of his exceptional bravery, unwavering commitment, and ultimate sacrifice in service of the nation, Hav Sheo Ram was posthumously awarded the gallantry award, the "Sena Medal".

Hav Sheo Ram is survived by his mother Smt Sharli Devi, wife Smt Sunita Devi, son and brother Shri Roopchand who is presently serving in  Army.