Service No : 20002941F
Place of birth : Kinnaur Dist(HP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Havildar
Unit : Dogra Scouts
Arm/Regt : The Dogra Regiment
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Awards : Shaurya Chakra
Martyrdom : October 8, 2023
Havildar Rohit Kumar, son of Shri Amar Singh and Smt Krishna Devi, hailed from Taranda village in Nichar Tehsil iof Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh. After completing his primary education in his village, he was driven by an unwavering passion for serving the nation. His dedication led him to join the Indian Army, where he was recruited into Dogra Scouts also knonw as -Tangrors (the mountain warriors) of the Dogra Regiment, an esteemed infantry regiment with a rich legacy of valour, battle honours, and distinguished service. From the very beginning of his military career, Hav Rohit Kumar displayed exceptional physical endurance, combat proficiency, and leadership qualities. His remarkable agility and adaptability in mountainous terrain set him apart, making him an ideal candidate for specialized training. His outstanding performance earned him repeated postings to the prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. HAWS, regarded as one of the finest military institutions for mountain warfare training, plays a crucial role in preparing Indian Army soldiers for extreme high-altitude combat scenarios.
Hav Rohit Kumar was entrusted with the vital responsibility of training soldiers in high-altitude warfare, avalanche rescue techniques, and combat operations in treacherous terrains. By 2023, Hav Rohit Kumar had accumulated substantial years of service and had operated in various challenging operational environments. His vast experience in counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude warfare, and mountaineering expeditions solidified his reputation as a fearless and highly skilled soldier. Whether leading teams through perilous glacial landscapes or instructing fellow soldiers in survival tactics, he remained at the forefront of every mission, embodying the highest standards of military professionalism.
Operational Climbing Training(Ladakh) : 01-08 Oct 2023
During October 2023, Hav Rohit Kumar was serving as Havildar Instructor at the prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), where he exemplified exceptional mountaineering expertise, extreme physical endurance, and unwavering courage. His role was instrumental in shaping and preparing the Indian Army's elite mountain warfare troops for high-altitude operations. Havildar Rohit Kumar, was part of a 38-member high-altitude expedition team that embarked on a mission to summit Mount Kun (7,077 meters) in Ladakh on October 1, 2023. This challenging expedition aimed to reach the peak by October 13, testing the team’s endurance against unpredictable weather, extreme cold, and treacherous glaciated terrain. Serving as a Havildar Instructor at the High Altitude Warfare School, Hav Rohit Kumar played a pivotal role in the mission. His extraordinary mountaineering expertise, unmatched physical endurance, and fearless leadership were instrumental in guiding the team through the steep and avalanche-prone slopes of Mount Kun. As the Lead Climber, he spearheaded efforts to fix ropes and open the route, ensuring a safe ascent for the expedition team. Under his leadership, the team successfully fixed over 2,000 meters of rope on some of the most perilous sections of the climb, battling sub-zero temperatures and navigating a terrain riddled with deep crevasses and constant avalanche threats.
On October 8, 2023, tragedy struck. As Hav Rohit Kumar and his team meticulously ascended the 85-degree slope, a massive slab avalanche broke loose, engulfing the climbers and sweeping them into a deep crevasse. In a heroic display of selflessness and commitment to duty, Hav Rohit Kumar made the ultimate sacrifice, upholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army. In the immediate aftermath, the rescue team launched a desperate operation to save the trapped soldiers. They managed to recover the mortal remains of Lance Naik Stanzin Targais, but Hav Rohit Kumar, along with Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale (Gorkha Rifles) and Naik Gautam Rajbanshi (Assam Regiment), remained buried deep within the ice and snow, trapped beneath tons of frozen debris. Refusing to abandon their fallen comrades, HAWS launched a meticulously planned recovery mission, Operation RTG (named after Rohit, Thakur, and Gautam), on June 18, 2024. The operation comprised 88 expert mountaineers, all determined to honor the bravery of their fallen brothers and bring them home. A roadhead camp was established 40 km from Khumbathang, stocked with specialized mountaineering and rescue equipment, survival kits, special clothing, and medical aid. Two helicopters were placed on standby for emergency evacuation and transportation of the recovered remains. The base camp was set up 13 km from the roadhead at an altitude of 14,790 feet, where Maj Gen Bruce Fernandez, Commandant of HAWS, personally oversaw the rescue efforts. The incident site, located 3 km from the base camp, posed extreme risks due to unstable snow formations and harsh weather conditions. However, the determined rescue team pressed on, carefully excavating the frozen terrain in their relentless pursuit to retrieve their fallen comrades.
After nearly nine months of being lost to the unforgiving mountains, the first breakthrough came on July 4, 2024, when the mortal remains of Hav Rohit Kumar were discovered beneath 30 feet of snow and ice inside the crevasse. Three days later, on July 7, 2024, after descending another 10 feet into the crevasse, the team successfully recovered the mortal remains of Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale . Finally, on July 8, 2024, after an arduous and emotional search, the mortal remains of Naik Gautam Rajbanshi were located, bringing the mission to a solemn yet victorious conclusion. Hav Rohit Kumar’s story is one of unmatched bravery, selflessness, and dedication. A true 'Mountain Warrior', he led from the front, ensuring that his team had the safest possible route to the summit, even at the cost of his own life. In recognition of his valour, exceptional commitment, and ultimate sacrifice, Hav Rohit Kumar was posthumously awarded the esteemed "Shaurya Chakra". Havildar Rohit Kumar is survived by his father Shri Amar Singh and mother Smt Krishna Devi.
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