Lance Naik Mehboob Khan SM

Lance Naik Mehboob Khan hailed from Kurli village in Didwana tehsil of Nagaur district in Rajasthan and was born on 9th Apr 1979.  Son of an army veteran Naik Hussain Khan, he wanted to serve in the Armed Forces since his childhood like his father and grandfather who too served in the Army, making L/Nk Mehboob Khan a third-generation soldier. He eventually joined the Army after completing his school education at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into 17 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers with a rich history of various battle honours. After serving with his parent unit for some time, L/Nk Mehboob Khan was later deputed to serve with the 29 RR battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. 

Kupwara Operation (J&K): 09 Apr 2005

During Apr 2005, L Nk Mehboob Khan’s unit 29 RR battalion was deployed in the Kupwara district of J&K. As a number of militants were active in the unit’s AOR(Area of Responsibility), the unit troops had to maintain a very high state of preparedness at all times and had to undertake operations at a short notice. Based on the information from the intelligence sources, about the presence of some hardcore militants in the Kupwara district, the security forces decided to launch an operation on 9th Apr 2005. Consequently, an operation was launched by the 29 RR unit troops along with the soldiers of CRPF and J&K Police. As planned L/Nk Mehboob Khan and his team reached the suspected area and swung into action. 

A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter lasting for several hours. During the drawn-out battle, L/Nk Mehboob Khan and his comrades managed to eliminate three terrorists. However, during the heavy exchange of fire L/Nk Mehboob Khan and one of his comrades Hav Kheenwa Ram, got severely injured. They later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. L/Nk Mehboob Khan was a brave and committed soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 26 years in the line of his duty. L/Nk Mehboob Khan was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

L/Nk Mehboob Khan is survived by his father an Army veteran Naik Hussain Khan.