Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht SM

Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht hailed from Ratighat village in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was born in 1993. He was the son of Shri Diwan Singh Bisht and had a brother, Neeraj Bisht, as his sibling. Growing up amidst the rugged hills and patriotic culture of Uttarakhand, L/Nk Sanjay developed a deep admiration for the Armed Forces from an early age. Inspired by the stories of valour and service that are a part of every Uttarakhand household, he nurtured a dream of donning the uniform and serving the nation. Driven by this aspiration, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht joined the Indian Army in 2012, at the young age of 19, soon after completing his schooling. He was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, one of the most prestigious and battle-hardened regiments of the Indian Army, renowned for its daredevil paratroopers and their role in numerous high-risk operations. His dedication, discipline, and physical endurance quickly marked him as an exceptional soldier.

Keen to challenge himself further, he volunteered for the Special Forces, the elite arm of the Parachute Regiment. After successfully completing the grueling selection process and specialized training, he was inducted into 9 Para (Special Forces) — a unit raised in 1966, known for its expertise in mountain warfare and counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism operations. Life in the Special Forces demanded extraordinary courage, mental toughness, and an unyielding spirit — qualities that L/Nk Sanjay Bisht exemplified. By 2023, after more than 11 years of dedicated service, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht had evolved into a battle-hardened and highly skilled commando, admired by his peers and respected by his superiors.

Rajouri Encounter (J&K) : 22 Nov 2023

During November 2023, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht’s unit, 9 Para (Special Forces), was deployed in the Rajouri sector of the Kashmir valley as part of the ‘Romeo Force’, functioning under the operational control of the XVI Corps of the Indian Army. The region, known for its dense forests and difficult terrain, had long been a hub of militant activity. Owing to frequent infiltration attempts and the presence of armed terrorists, the troops of 9 Para(SF) were routinely engaged in counter-insurgency operations to ensure peace and stability in the area. Based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of heavily armed terrorists in the Kalakote area of Gulabgarh forest in Rajouri district, a joint operation was planned and launched on the intervening night of 21/22 November 2023. The mission involved personnel from 9 Para (SF), 2 Para (SF), 63 Rashtriya Rifles, and the Jammu & Kashmir Police. As per the plan, the troops moved stealthily through the thickly forested terrain and cordoned off the suspected area before dawn to prevent the militants from escaping. L/Nk Sanjay Bisht was part of this elite assault team entrusted with executing the high-risk operation.

As the search and cordon operation progressed, the terrorists, realizing they were surrounded, opened heavy fire on the advancing troops in an attempt to break the cordon. A fierce gun battle ensued, with intense exchange of fire from both sides. The militants, including their leader, had taken shelter inside a dhok—a temporary thatched mud structure commonly used by shepherds in the region—and were firing from concealed positions. Amid the heavy exchange of fire, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht, displaying exemplary courage and presence of mind, moved out of his cover to engage the terrorists at close range. Fully aware of the grave risk to his own life, he advanced towards the enemy position to protect his comrades and prevent the terrorists from escaping or inflicting further casualties. In the process, he was hit by multiple bullets and sustained grievous injuries. Despite being critically wounded, he continued to fight until he collapsed, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.  The encounter lasted for several hours, and eventually, all the terrorists were neutralized. However, the operation came at a heavy cost — along with L/Nk Sanjay Bisht, four other brave hearts — Captain M.V. Pranjal, Captain Shubham Gupta, Havildar Abdul Majid, and Paratrooper Sachin Laur — also laid down their lives while fighting gallantly. At the age of just 30, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht displayed extraordinary bravery, devotion to duty, and selfless commitment to the nation. For his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal on 26 January 2024. 

Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht is survived by his father Shri Diwan Singh Bisht and brother Shri Neeraj Bisht.