Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria KC

Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria was born on 28 August 1985 in Samba, a district in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. He hailed from a family with a strong military background, being the son of Nb Sub Som Datt Khajuria, an Army veteran. Growing up in a disciplined environment, Lt Sushil imbibed the values of patriotism and service to the nation from an early age. He completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where he excelled not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities. He was the second of four siblings and shared a close bond with his elder brother Anil, younger brother Sunil, and sister Deepika. Inspired by his father’s legacy and his passion to serve the country, he pursued his graduation and thereafter joined the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) to follow his dream of joining the Indian Army.

On 20 March 2010, after successfully completing his rigorous training at the OTA, he was commissioned into the Army Service Corps (ASC), a crucial logistics and support arm of the Indian Army. Lt Sushil Khajuria was a second-generation soldier, and the spirit of military service ran deep in his family. Remarkably, his siblings also followed in his footsteps: his elder brother, Anil Khajuria, rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army, while his sister Deepika joined the Indian Air Force, continuing the family’s proud tradition of service to the nation. Though commissioned into the ASC, Lt Sushil Khajuria was deputed to an infantry battalion, the 18 Grenadiers, for his first operational assignment in Jammu and Kashmir. He joined the unit at Panzgam on 14 April 2010. Recognizing his leadership qualities and physical prowess, he was entrusted with the role of Ghatak Platoon Commander right from the outset—a role demanding immense courage and tactical acumen. The Ghatak Platoon, being the battalion’s specialist assault force, operated at the forefront of combat and counter-terrorist missions.

Lt Khajuria soon found himself in active operations in the challenging and hostile mountainous terrain of the Kupwara sector, an area notorious for terrorist infiltration attempts. Displaying exceptional courage and professionalism early in his career, he participated in numerous search and destroy missions aimed at flushing out infiltrators and safeguarding the frontiers. His first major encounter took place on 29 July 2011, during a counter-terrorist operation. In this mission, Lt Sushil Khajuria demonstrated outstanding leadership and bravery, leading his men from the front. His decisive actions contributed significantly to the success of the operation, which resulted in the elimination of a hardcore terrorist, thereby neutralizing a significant threat to the region. Lt Sushil Khajuria quickly earned the respect of his superiors and subordinates alike for his valour, leadership, and selfless dedication. 

Kupwara Operation: 27 Sep 2011

On 27 September 2011, Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria was leading a search and destroy mission in the rugged Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, an area known for frequent infiltration attempts across the Line of Control. Acting on specific intelligence inputs received from the higher formation headquarters and a neighboring formation, it was reported that a group of 5 to 6 terrorists had infiltrated the general area of Kopra in the dense forests of Kupwara. The terrain posed severe challenges, with steep slopes, thick undergrowth, and deep nullahs, making the operation extremely perilous. Lt Sushil Khajuria was tasked with coordinating and leading multiple teams in the operation. Demonstrating outstanding leadership, he managed the simultaneous movements of five teams operating in the area, ensuring coordinated action against the infiltrating terrorists. His team was actively scouting the area when they made contact with the terrorists hiding in a nullah.

As soon as his team approached, the terrorists opened heavy fire, taking advantage of their well-camouflaged positions behind large rocks. The sudden burst of gunfire pinned down Lt Khajuria's buddy, exposing him to grave danger. Assessing the tactical situation quickly and realizing that the terrorists held a dominating position, Lt Khajuria decided to take the fight to the enemy. Crawling stealthily through thick foliage to a flank, he repositioned himself for a better line of fire. With covering fire provided by his team, he launched a daring assault, climbing up the slope under enemy fire. In a fierce exchange, Lt Sushil Khajuria managed to eliminate two terrorists, thereby neutralizing a significant threat to his team. Even as the operation continued, another critical situation arose. Around 10:30 hours, Havaldar Ravi Kumar, the leading scout of an adjacent team, was shot and severely injured by terrorist fire. Immobilized and lying exposed in the line of fire, Hav Ravi Kumar was in imminent danger. Fully aware of the risks involved, Lt Khajuria displayed exceptional courage and comradeship. Without hesitation, he volunteered to rescue the wounded soldier.

Braving continuous enemy fire, Lt Khajuria crawled toward Hav Ravi Kumar’s position. His heroic attempt to save his comrade exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Army’s ethos of never leaving a soldier behind. Unfortunately, during this valiant effort, a terrorist fired at him, and Lt Sushil Khajuria was grievously wounded. Despite his critical injuries, Lt Khajuria’s actions had already inspired his team and contributed significantly to the success of the mission. He was later evacuated but succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Lt Sushil Khajuria’s gallantry, leadership, and selfless devotion to his comrades and the mission stood as a shining example of courage beyond the call of duty. For his extraordinary valour, exceptional leadership in combat, and supreme sacrifice, the nation honoured him with the "Kirti Chakra", India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Lt Sushil Khajuria is survived by his father Nb Sub Som Datt Khajuria (Retd), mother Smt Nirmala Khajuria, brothers Col Anil Khajuria & Shri Sunil Khajuria and sister Sqn Ldr Deepika Khajuria.

The citation of "Kirti Chakra" awarded to Lt Sushil Khajuria reads:-

Lieutenant Sushil Khajuria KC, while leading his team in a search operation in the main area in district Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir came face to face with two terrorists. Displaying exceptional presence of mind he opened fire on them allowing his team to take cover. In the prolonged firefight, the officer advanced from cover to cover and with unflinching resoluteness and raw courage, closed in and eliminated the terrorist from close range. The other terrorist brought down intense fire on the team. Sensing danger, the officer exhibiting conspicuous bravery of highest order immediately engaged and forced the terrorist to retreat. He pursued the terrorist, using the difficult folds in the ground, approached from an unexpected direction and personally eliminated the second terrorist.

The officer, displaying exceptional sense of responsibility and camaraderie as a true leader unmindful of his personal safety immediately crawled forward to evacuate one of his injured colleague upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army. For his act of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional leadership and camaraderie in the highest traditions of Army, Lt Sushil Khajuria is recommended for the award of ‘Kirti Chakra’ (Posthumous)’.

He could not make it………………. Blog- A tribute by an Indian