Lt Gautam Jain SM

Lt. Gautam Jain hailed from Indore city in Madhya Pradesh and was born on 29th May 1979. Son of Shri SP Jain, Lt. Gautam was commissioned into 173 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, the second largest Arm of the Indian Army.

Op Rakshak: 01 Nov 2001

During 2001, Lt. Gautam Jain’s unit was deployed in Rajauri district of J & K. 173 Field Regiment served in the north Kashmir region from September 1995 to 1997 primarily on counterinsurgency tasks. It was also tasked to undertake the management of the line of control in the difficult high altitude areas of Northern Gullies and Machhal sectors of North Kashmir. In one occasion, it destroyed Pakistani bunkers by artillery fire as retaliation to their actions thereby causing heavy losses. Later, the unit was inducted in the general area of Kalakot in Rajouri district during 2001. On 1 November 2001, following an intelligence input that terrorists were moving in the general area of Dambal Nala near village Dahot near Kalakot town, three search parties of the regiment were launched under Lt Gautam Jain, Lt Amit Samanta, and Lt RK Jha.

The search and cordon operation as planned was launched and the troops reached the suspected area next morning. The search team led by Lt Gautam Jain soon made contact with the terrorists who fired at them on being challenged. The terrorists were heavily armed and were firing from vantage points. A fierce gun battle ensured thereafter with heavy exchange fire from both sides. During the exchange of fire Lt Gautam Jain who was leading from the front got hit by the barrage of bullets. His comrade Naik Bhagwan Singh who tried to come to the rescue of Lt Gautam Jain also got seriously injured. Both Lt Gautam Jain and Naik Bhagwan Singh later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred.

Lt Gautam Jain displayed outstanding courage and leadership skills during the operation and laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Lt Gautam Jain was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his raw courage, unfaltering leadership and supreme sacrifice.