Lt Dheerendra Singh Atri KC

Lieutenant Dheerendra Singh Atri was a 3rd-generation soldier in uniform, wherein his maternal grandfather was a World War 1 veteran and his father, Brig Devendra Singh Atri, was an infantry officer who served with the Rajput Regiment. Needless to say, “Fauj” was in the DNA of Lt DS Atri, who always dreamt of donning an army uniform right from his younger days. The only son of his parents, he was born on September 12, 1978, at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, where his father was then posted. He graduated in Hotel Management from Pusa Institute, New Delhi, and worked as an Airport Manager at the Santa Cruz Airport in Bombay, but only for six months, as he got selected to join the Army. Before passing out of the IMA on December 10, 2002, he had opted for the Rajput Regiment as a parental claim but could not get it owing to a lack of vacancies and was instead allotted the Army Service Corps.

Immediately after commissioning, Lt DS Atri was posted to the 3 Rajput Battalion on cross attachment for two years. As a subaltern, he took part in many anti-militancy operations and always led his men from the front. He always had one single order — “follow me”. During the attachment period, he applied for permanent secondment to the Rajput Regiment and also posting to the Rajput battalion his father had commanded. Though his application was being processed favorably, fate had something else in store for him.

Op Rakshak: 18 Oct 2003

In 2002, the 3 Rajput Battalion was inducted into Jammu and Kashmir during one of the most challenging phases of militancy in the Valley. The situation was tense, with Kupwara district emerging as the epicenter of terrorist activity. As part of Operation Rakshak, the battalion was deployed in Kupwara to conduct relentless counter-insurgency operations in extremely hostile conditions. The soldiers of 3 Rajput were regularly engaged in encounters with militants, as the area was notorious for infiltration attempts and the presence of well-armed insurgents supported from across the border. On 18 October 2003, the battalion launched a cordon-and-search operation in the dense forests of Kupwara, based on specific intelligence about militant presence. The operation was led by Lieutenant DS Atri, a young officer who had already distinguished himself through his courage and leadership despite his limited service experience. As the troops advanced and closed in on the suspected area, they suddenly came under heavy automatic fire from militants who had set up a well-prepared ambush. The sudden attack put the soldiers in immediate danger of heavy casualties. It was in this critical moment that Lt Atri displayed extraordinary courage and presence of mind. Without thinking of his own safety, he charged towards the militants, drawing their fire upon himself. His gallant action provided his men the crucial time to seek cover, regroup, and reorganize their response.

With remarkable determination, Lt Atri engaged the terrorists at close quarters. Despite the volume of hostile fire directed at him, he managed to kill two militants in quick succession, throwing the enemy into confusion. During this fierce firefight, Lt Atri sustained multiple gunshot wounds, but his resolve remained unshaken. Refusing to give up, he pressed forward and succeeded in eliminating a third militant, continuing to inspire his men through his indomitable spirit. Even as his injuries became critical, Lt Atri’s daring assault had a decisive effect on the battle. His fearless action disoriented the militants, breaking their momentum. Motivated by the example of their officer’s bravery, the soldiers of 3 Rajput launched a ferocious counter-attack, ultimately neutralizing the remaining five terrorists. The operation was a resounding success, but it came at the cost of Lt Atri’s life. Despite the best efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries on the battlefield, laying down his life at the young age of 25 years. Lt DS Atri’s actions epitomized the values of selflessness, courage, and leadership that define the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His supreme sacrifice not only saved the lives of his comrades but also ensured the success of the operation against overwhelming odds. In recognition of his conspicuous act of gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice, Lt DS Atri was posthumously awarded the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, the Kirti Chakra. The award was presented by President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to his father, Brigadier DS Atri, who was still serving in the Army at that time. Lt DS Atri is remembered as a valiant soldier and a gritty young officer who lived up to the motto of putting the nation and his men above his own life.

Lt Dheerendra Singh Atri is survived by his proud parents, Brig. DS Atri and Smt. Kalpana Atri, who continue to embody the legacy of their brave son.

The battle account of his bravery in War Diary of 3 Rajput reads:

Lieutenant Dheerendra Singh Atri laid an ambush on an infiltration route in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. On October 18, 2003, at 2.30 am, the ambush party opened fire on a suspected movement of terrorists. At first light, Lt Atri led the search through dense forest. In the process, his party was fired upon by terrorists hiding in a nullah. Lt Atri reacted with such ferocity that not only he was able to kill two terrorists but also disintegrate their complete group. In the ensuing firefight, a splinter group of terrorists reached the shoulder of the nullah and from where they brought down effective fire, seriously injuring Lt Atri on the shoulder. At this juncture, unmindful of his own injury and determined to prevent terrorists from causing further harm to his party, Lt Atri charged and fatally injured one more terrorist, whose death was confirmed later. However, during the charge, Lt Atri  was hit on the chest by the terrorist’s burst fire and the brave Rajput succumbed to the fatal injury. Inspired by his gallant action, the troops killed five more terrorists, thus, eliminating the entire group of terrorists. In this operation, a large number of arms, ammunition and currency notes were recovered.

PROUD MOTHER

Smt Kalpana Atri, mother of  Lt. Dheerendra Atri, said, “ Every mother’s son has a date with fate. Our  Rinku (Lt. DS Atri), too, had his. But I am proud of my son for he met his date as a true Rajput and in the best traditions of the Indian Army ”.