Lance Hav Laxman B Oulkar SC

Lance Havildar Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar was born on 1st June 1962, in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, to Shri Bhavaku Oulkar and Smt Yashoda Bhavaku Oulkar. He was the youngest of seven siblings, growing up in a humble yet disciplined environment that instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and patriotism. From a young age, he displayed a deep sense of responsibility and a strong inclination toward serving the nation. After completing his school education, L/Hav Laxman aspired to join the Indian Army, driven by his passion for the olive-green uniform and the call of duty. His determination bore fruit when he was selected to serve in the armed forces on 29th September 1981, at the age of 19. He was recruited into the 19th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (19 MLI)—a regiment with a glorious legacy of courage and battle honours.

The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, known for its tenacious and fearless soldiers, had a rich history of valour dating back to the 18th century. The regiment played a pivotal role in numerous military campaigns, earning a reputation for its unwavering dedication and battlefield prowess. Being a part of such a distinguished unit was both an honour and a responsibility that L/Hav Oulkar embraced wholeheartedly. Following his recruitment, he underwent rigorous military training, where he honed his combat skills, discipline, and endurance. He excelled in his training, showcasing a natural aptitude for soldiering. Over the years, he was deployed to various operational areas, where he gained invaluable field experience. Whether it was counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude postings, or challenging battle conditions, Naik Oulkar adapted and thrived in every situation. Through his relentless hard work and dedication, he earned promotion to the rank of Lance Havildar by 1993. By then, he had accumulated over a decade of military experience, making him a seasoned soldier with a deep understanding of battlefield dynamics.

Sopore Operation (J&K): 12 Nov 1993

By 1993, L/Hav Laxman B. Oulkar had already earned a reputation as a battle-hardened and courageous soldier in the 19th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (19 MLI). That year, his unit was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations, tasked with tackling the growing terrorist activities in the region. The Area of Responsibility (AOR) of 19 MLI was a volatile zone, where terrorists frequently carried out attacks to challenge security forces. As a result, the battalion operated in a constant state of alert, often launching search-and-destroy missions to neutralize threats and restore peace in the region. On 12 November 1993, intelligence reports indicated the presence of heavily armed militants in Rawchha village of Sopore tehsil, Baramulla district. Given the seriousness of the situation, the unit swiftly planned a cordon-and-search operation to capture or eliminate the terrorists. L/Hav Laxman B. Oulkar was selected as part of the elite assault team, a testament to his skills, experience, and unwavering bravery.

Executing the operation with stealth and precision, L/Hav Laxman and his team reached Rawchha village and cordoned off the suspected area. The soldiers then began systematically searching the houses, cautiously advancing through the narrow alleys and congested structures, knowing that the enemy could be lurking anywhere, ready to strike. As the soldiers were closing in, they suddenly came under heavy fire from militants hiding inside a house. The terrorists, in a desperate bid to escape, hurled grenades and opened indiscriminate fire, attempting to break through the security cordon. L/Hav Laxman and his comrades immediately took cover and retaliated with controlled yet relentless firepower, engaging in a fierce gun battle in the narrow confines of the village. The intensity of the exchange escalated when a grenade thrown by the militants landed near L/Hav Laxman, causing him severe injuries. Despite the excruciating pain and bleeding profusely, he refused to retreat or seek medical aid. Instead, driven by his unbreakable spirit and unwavering commitment to his mission, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Realizing that the militants were well-entrenched and posing a grave threat to his comrades, L/Hav Laxman, despite his injuries, crawled towards the house. With incredible resilience and battlefield acumen, he pulled the pin from a grenade and hurled it inside the militant hideout. The grenade explosion instantly killed two terrorists, delivering a decisive blow to the enemy. However, a third militant, severely burned but still armed, burst out of the house, spraying bullets in a final attempt to retaliate. Standing firm at the doorway, L/Hav Laxman, despite his weakening state, held his ground and neutralized the militant with a precise shot, ensuring that the threat was completely eliminated. The operation was a major success, as all the terrorists were eliminated, and a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from their hideout. However, in the aftermath of the battle, L/Hav Laxman B. Oulkar succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at the young age of 31 years. His courageous stand, marked by exceptional bravery, selflessness, and an indomitable fighting spirit, not only saved the lives of his fellow soldiers but also dealt a severe blow to insurgent activities in the region. For his extraordinary courage, relentless determination, and supreme sacrifice, L/Hav Laxman B. Oulkar was posthumously awarded the prestigious "Shaurya Chakra"—one of India’s highest gallantry awards during peacetime—on 15 August 1994.

Lance Havildar Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar is survived by his wife Smt Shobha Laxman Oulkar, Son Shri Umesh Laxman Oulkar, and daughter Ms Supriya Laxman Oulkar.

Appreciation by Commanding Officer:

On the date of 12th November 1993, during an operation to search for militants hiding in the village of Tola, Baramulla district, Kashmir, Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar's squad of the 19th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry came under fire from militants hiding in a house. The militants threw grenades. Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar and his companions took cover and retaliated. The militants continued throwing grenades from the house. One of the grenades seriously injured Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar. Seeing that the militants were not coming out, the injured Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar crawled to the house and threw a grenade inside. Two militants were killed on the spot. The third militant, who was burnt by the grenade's explosion, came out firing. Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar, who was holding his position at the door, killed him with a gunshot. Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar succumbed to his serious injuries.

Having displayed immense courage, Lance Havildar Laxman B Oulkar sacrificed his life by eliminating the notorious Pakistani militants. By showing such courage and devotion to duty, he upheld the traditions of the Maratha Regiment and added a golden chapter to the history of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. He will forever serve as an inspiration to future generations.

Col NS Sahrawat

Commanding Officer

19th Bn the Maratha LI

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

On 12 November 1993, 19 Maratha Light Infantry on specific information launched an operation of cordon and search in village Rowchha. Kashmir Valley. At three in the afternoon a search party commanded by Naib Subedar Kalburge Laxman Limbaji consisting of fifteen Other Ranks and five civilians was carrying out a search in Banpura Mohalla. An anti- national element threw a grenade on troops from the house of Ashraf Malla. Lance Havildar Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar who was a member of the search party sustained splinter injuries. After the troops cordoned the house the anti-national ele- ments started firing from the house. Lance Havildar Laxman Bhevaku Oulkar, despite being badly wounded, crawled close to the door and lobbed two grenades into the house. and fired with his rifle. Two anti-national elements were killed and one was seriously wounded. The wounded continued to fire. Due to grenade explosions, the dry haystack caught fire. The anti- national element inside the house was asked to surrender but he refused. To flush him out an 84mm Rocket Launcher HE round was fired. The anti-national element moved out firing indiscriminately. At the door step he was shot dead by badly wuoded Lance Havildar Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar. Lance Pildar On'kar succumbed to his injuries at four thirty that aftenoon. The anti-national elements killed were identified as Mushtaq Battalion Commander. Fivaz Section Commander and Rivaz Ahmed Bhat, all three belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group. Lance Havildar Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar, thus, displayed bravery, courage and spirit of self sacrifice.