Havildar Tilak Raj VrC

Havildar Tilak Raj hailed from Bishnah village in the Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir. After completing his initial school education, he decided to join the Indian Army, dedicating his life to safeguarding the sovereignty of the country. He was recruited into the 6th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (6 JAK LI), a distinguished infantry regiment known for its exceptional bravery and outstanding service in various military operations. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) has a rich legacy of gallantry, having played pivotal roles in numerous battles and counter-insurgency operations across the country, especially in the challenging terrains of Jammu and Kashmir. In the early part of 1992, Hav Tilak Raj was deployed to Jammu and Kashmir, one of the most volatile and demanding operational areas in the world. The region, marked by rugged mountains, dense forests, and ongoing insurgency, posed a continuous challenge to the security forces. As a part of 6 JAK LI, Hav Tilak Raj was engaged in high-risk operations requiring immense courage, presence of mind, and steadfast dedication to duty. 

Kargil Sector Operation: 07 May 1992

In 1992, Havildar Tilak Raj was serving with Alfa Company of the 6th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. His unit was deployed at Dalunang, a forward and strategically sensitive post located in the Kargil district of Ladakh, along the Line of Control (LoC). The post lies on the banks of the Shingo River, which originates in Baltistan and eventually merges with the Indus River. The LoC, a 740-kilometre stretch within Jammu and Kashmir, is part of the 3,323-kilometre-long international border between India and Pakistan. This region remains one of the most volatile and sensitive areas, marked by frequent ceasefire violations and unprovoked aggression by Pakistani forces. As the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Detachment Commander, Havildar Tilak Raj was entrusted with a strategically vital position within a bunker that played a key role in the company's overall defensive layout. On the evening of 7 May 1992, at approximately 1850 hours, Pakistani forces launched a sudden, intense, and well-coordinated attack on the Indian defensive positions. The assault involved the use of air defence guns, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), heavy machine guns (HMGs), and Browning machine guns, with concentrated fire aimed directly at the position manned by Hav Tilak Raj and his team. In the initial phase of the attack, an enemy RPG struck the medium machine gun bunker, causing significant structural damage as one corner of the bunker collapsed.

Realizing the bunker was on the brink of destruction if struck again, Hav Tilak Raj made a swift and selfless decision. Aware of the grave danger to himself and his comrades, he immediately opened the firing loophole of his heavy machine gun and began delivering accurate and suppressive fire on the Pakistani RPG position. His precise and relentless counter-fire disrupted the enemy’s assault and drew their attention toward his bunker. The enemy intensified their focus on his position, unleashing a barrage of fire in an attempt to silence his weapon. Despite being under severe threat and facing overwhelming firepower, Havildar Tilak Raj remained resolute. Demonstrating exceptional courage and unyielding determination, he continued to fire at the advancing enemy. During this fierce engagement, Hav Tilak Raj was grievously wounded when a bullet struck him in the left eye, causing profuse bleeding. Even in this critical condition, he refused to abandon his post or let his injuries deter him. With extraordinary grit, he continued operating the heavy machine gun, maintaining constant pressure on the enemy and preventing further advances. His relentless fire ultimately forced the Pakistani troops to cease their rocket launcher assault, thereby neutralizing the immediate threat to the Indian position. In doing so, he not only protected vital defensive infrastructure and equipment but also saved the lives of the three other soldiers inside the bunker. Unfortunately, Hav Tilak Raj succumbed to his injuries during this heroic stand.

Hav Tilak Raj’s supreme sacrifice was instrumental in repelling the enemy attack and preserving the integrity of a critical defensive sector. Hav Tilak Raj was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

Havildar Tilak Raj is survived by his wife, Smt Neelam Kumari. 

The citation for the "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

Havildar Tilak Raj of Alfa Company, 6 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, was the Heavy Machine Gun Detachment Commander of Dalunang on the Line of Actual Control. At about 1850 hours on 7 May 1992, the Pakistanis opened heavy and accurate fire, on the company with air defence guns, rocket-propelled guns, heavy machine guns and browning machine guns. Pakistanis fired from rocket launcher on our medium machine gun bunker, resulting in the collapse of a corner of the bunker. Havildar Tilak Raj realised that the next hit of rocket would result in total destruction of the bunker and the loss of the crew inside. Without wasting any time, he opened the loophole of his gun and started engaging the Pakistanis rocket launcher effectively. Seeing the effective fire ofthe gun, the Pakistanis started firing at Havildar Tilak Raj's bunker.

Undeterred by the bullets of Pak soldiers and in utter disregard of his personal safety, Havildar Tilak Raj continued to engage the Pakistanis and forced them to call off the rocket launcher fire. He was hit by a Pakistani bullet in his left eye. Even after the serious injury, when he was profusely bleeding he continued to bring down effective heavy machine gun fire on the adversary, till he succumbed to his injuries. His gallant act forced the Pakistanis to stop firing. By sacrificing his life, Havildar Tilak Raj not only saved the lives of his three comrades in the heavy machine gun bunker, but also prevented destruction of the defence works, weapons and equipment.

Havildar Tilak Raj displayed exceptional courage and gallantry in the face of the enemy before he died.