Lt Col Mukesh Chandra Sharma SC

Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Chandra Sharma hailed from Lucknow district in Uttar Pradesh. From a young age, he exhibited a deep passion for the Armed Forces, driven by a strong sense of duty and a desire to serve the nation. His dedication and perseverance eventually led to his selection into the Indian Army, where he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, the oldest rifle regiment of India, with its headquarters in New Delhi. During his early years of service, he distinguished himself through his professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his duties. He soon married Ms Kalyani, who became a constant source of support throughout his demanding career.

After completing several years of service with the Rajputana Rifles, he was deputed to the 16 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalion, which was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to conduct counter-insurgency operations. In this role, he participated in high-risk missions aimed at combating militancy and maintaining peace in a region fraught with security challenges. By 1996, his extensive experience and leadership qualities had established him as a highly respected officer, capable of leading troops in complex and dangerous operational environments.

Nagaland Operation: 22 May 1996

In 1996, Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Chandra Sharma was serving as the officiating Commanding Officer of the 16 Rashtriya Rifles, deployed in Kohima, Nagaland, to combat insurgent activities and maintain peace in a region plagued by anti-national elements. The Rashtriya Rifles, a specialised counter-insurgency force, was tasked with neutralising militant threats and ensuring the safety of local populations. On 22 May 1996, based on specific intelligence inputs, the 16 Rashtriya Rifles planned a counter-insurgency operation aimed at neutralising a group of insurgents operating in their area of responsibility. As part of the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma was moving with a specially organised convoy of eight vehicles along the Wokha (Nagaland)–Golaghat (Assam) road. Demonstrating his habit of leading from the front, he personally drove a Jonga vehicle, positioned fourth in the convoy. At approximately 1215 hours, the convoy entered a vulnerable stretch of road when it was suddenly ambushed by a group of Naga underground insurgents, estimated to number between twenty and thirty. Positioned strategically, the attackers unleashed a heavy and concentrated volume of fire, catching the convoy off guard and attempting to immobilise it through shock and overwhelming force. The first volley struck Lieutenant Colonel Sharma’s Jonga directly, causing him a severe chest injury.

Despite his grievous wound, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma displayed remarkable composure and leadership. He immediately brought the vehicle to a halt, ordered the other occupants to dismount, and instructed them to return fire. Drawing his pistol, he personally engaged the insurgents, setting a powerful example of courage under fire. Refusing medical attention despite profuse bleeding, he pressed forward with extraordinary determination. Steering the Jonga with his left hand while firing his pistol with his right, he advanced through a hail of bullets, continuously shouting instructions and words of encouragement to motivate his men to maintain fire and counter the ambush effectively. When a vehicle in the convoy was immobilised by enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma skillfully manoeuvred past it, continuing along the length of the convoy to rally and exhort his troops. In doing so, he sustained additional bullet wounds, yet remained steadfast in his leadership, ensuring that the morale and fighting spirit of his men did not falter. Tragically, at extremely close range—approximately two metres—he was struck by a fatal burst of gunfire to the head. Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Chandra Sharma succumbed to his injuries at the wheel of the Jonga, his pistol still firmly gripped in his hand, a testament to his unwavering commitment to duty. Through his extraordinary bravery, selflessness, and steadfast leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Sharma displayed gallantry of the highest order. He was posthumously honoured with the "Shaurya Chakra", India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Chandra Sharma is survived by his wife, Smt Kalyani Sharma.