Major Mohit Sharma AC SM

Maj Mohit started his education from Manav Sthali School, South Extension, Delhi,  after which he took admission in Holy Angels’ School, Sahibabad, for a year and from where he took admission in DPS Ghaziabad in the year 1988 and passed out from the school in the year 1995. He got a good percentage in class XII, and his parents got him admitted to Shri  Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon, Maharashtra. Despite taking admission in an engineering college, he had a passion to join the forces, and he was determined and left engineering to join the prestigious NDA in the year 1995.

During his NDA tenure, where he was a member of the India Squadron, he excelled in various fields and emerged as one of the best cadets. He was a champion Horse Rider, trained under the able guidance of Col. Bhawani Singh, with his favourite horse named “Indira”. He was a Boxing champion in the featherweight category as well as one of the best swimmers. He continued his hunger for excellence into the IMA, where he was awarded an appointment of the rank of BCA (battalion cadet adjutant) and was among the chosen ones to get an opportunity to meet Shri K.R Narayanan, then the President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhawan. 

He passed out from IMA on 11th December 1999 and got commissioned in the 5 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment. His first posting was at Hyderabad, from where he went on to serve the country with 38 RR (Rashtriya Rifles) in Kashmir as part of a counterinsurgency operation, where he received his first medal for Gallantry COASM ( Chief of Army Staff Commendation Medal) in the year 2002. From the very beginning, he wanted to be a para-commando and joined 1 Para (SF) -the elite force of the Indian Army in June 2003. After that, he served in Kashmir with 1 Para (SF), where he was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry)  in the year 2004. He also served as an instructor at the Commando Wing Belgaum for 2 years from January 2005 to December 2006.

Kupwara Operation: 21st March 2009

During 2009, Maj Mohit Sharma’s unit was deployed in the Kupwara district of J & K and was engaged in operations against the terrorists on a frequent basis. Based on the information received from the intelligence about the infiltration attempt by some terrorists in Kupwara district, the security forces decided to launch a search and destroy operation on 21 Mar 2009.  Maj Mohit Sharma was tasked to lead the Bravo Assault Team against the infiltrating terrorists in dense Haphruda Forest. A fearless soldier with exceptional tactical acumen, he had already spent four demanding years operating in Jammu & Kashmir, honing his skills in guerrilla warfare and jungle combat. His deep understanding of terrain, insurgent behaviour, and high-risk operational planning earned him immense respect among his men and superiors alike.  Recognising the gravity of the situation, Major Mohit meticulously devised an operational plan and personally led his team of highly trained commandos to track and neutralize the threat.

As the team manoeuvred stealthily through the rugged foliage, Major Mohit detected suspicious movement ahead. Demonstrating sharp battlefield instincts, he immediately alerted his scouts and prepared for contact. Within moments, terrorists opened heavy and indiscriminate fire from three directions, attempting to ambush and overwhelm the team. The sudden onslaught resulted in four commandos being critically wounded in the initial burst. Displaying remarkable courage and leadership under fire, Major Mohit crawled forward—completely disregarding his own safety—to rescue his injured soldiers. Under continuous enemy fire, he successfully pulled two wounded commandos to safety, inspiring the entire team to continue the fight with renewed resolve. Realising that the terrorists were attempting to break contact and reposition, Major Mohit swiftly countered. He advanced under the hail of bullets, lobbed grenades with precision, and neutralized two terrorists. In doing so, he sustained a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite the severe injury, he refused to withdraw. Instead, he continued directing the assault, issuing clear instructions and motivating his commandos to hold ground and press forward.

When the situation intensified and the remaining terrorists posed an imminent risk to his troops, Major Mohit made a split-second decision that embodied the highest ideals of soldiering. Ignoring his worsening condition, he surged ahead in close-quarter combat with extraordinary grit and determination. In this final act of absolute bravery, he eliminated two more terrorists before succumbing to his injuries. Besides Maj Mohit Sharma, four other soldiers laid down their lives during the operation on 21 Mar, which included Hav Sanjay Singh, Hav Anil Kumar, Ptr Shabir Ahmad Malik and Ptr Nater Singh. Maj Mohit Sharma was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, “Ashok Chakra” for his act of conspicuous gallantry, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

Maj Mohit Sharma is survived by his father Shri Rajendra Prasad Sharma, mother Smt Sushila Sharma, elder brother Shri Madhur Sharma and wife Maj Rishima Sharma, who is an Army officer and continuing his legacy of service to the nation.

The citation for the "Ashok Chakra", awarded to him reads:

Major Mohit Sharma, SM was leading Bravo Assault Team in operations in Kupwara District of North Kashmir. A valiant warrior, he excelled in the art of fighting guerrillas in jungle terrain having earlier spent four years in Jammu & Kashmir. On 21 March 2009, after receiving information of presence of some infiltrating terrorists in dense Haphruda Forest, he planned meticulously and led his commandos in tracking them. On observing suspicious movement, he alerted his scouts but terrorists fired from three directions indiscriminately.  In the heavy exchange of fire, four commandos were wounded immediately. With complete disregard to his safety, he crawled and recovered two soldiers to safety. Unmindful of the overwhelming fire, he threw grenades and killed two terrorists but was shot in the chest. In the brief respite that followed, he kept directing his commandos, in spite of serious injuries. Sensing further danger to his comrades, he charged in a daring close quarter combat killing two more terrorists and attained martyrdom fighting for his motherland in the finest traditions of Indian Army.

For this act of conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional courage far beyond the call of duty, Major Mohit Sharma, SM was awarded 'Ashok Chakra' (Posthumous) on 15 Aug 09.