Major Nitesh Roy SC

Major Nitesh Roy was born and raised in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where he spent his formative years. From a young age, he displayed a keen interest in academics and discipline, which later shaped his career choice. After completing his education, he pursued his aspiration of serving the nation and joined the Indian Army in 2001. He was commissioned into the Army Education Corps (AEC), an important branch responsible for training and educating soldiers, ensuring their intellectual and professional growth. As an officer in the AEC, Major Nitesh Roy dedicated himself to imparting knowledge and enhancing the capabilities of Indian Army personnel. His dedication, leadership, and ability to mentor others earned him the respect and admiration of both his superiors and subordinates.

In addition to his professional achievements, Major Nitesh Roy’s personal life reflected his deep connection with the military. He was married to Captain Seema Mishra, who also served in the Army Education Corps. Together, they shared a life of service, duty, and commitment to the nation. Their bond was strengthened by their mutual understanding of military life and its challenges. After serving in various Army bases across the country, Major Nitesh Roy was selected for an overseas assignment in 2009. He was deputed as part of an Indian Army contingent stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. His deployment was part of India’s efforts to support educational and infrastructural development in the war-torn region, where the Indian Army played a significant role in providing assistance and training. Major Nitesh Roy was known not only for his intellectual acumen but also for his leadership and unwavering dedication to duty. He was highly regarded by his colleagues, who admired his commitment to both the mission and the welfare of those under his command. 

Kabul Attack: February 2010

As part of the Indian government's commitment to rebuilding war-torn Afghanistan, the Indian Army deployed a contingent in 2010 to provide humanitarian aid and educational assistance to Afghan nationals. This mission was crucial in strengthening India-Afghanistan ties and contributing to the country's reconstruction efforts. Major Nitesh Roy was among the officers selected for this vital assignment, where he played a key role in imparting education and assisting in medical relief efforts. Maj Roy and his team were housed in Guesthouse Noor, a modest accommodation that served as their base in Kabul. Their mission, though non-combat in nature, was fraught with risks, given the volatile security situation in Afghanistan. The threat of terrorist attacks was ever-present, and Indian personnel had been targeted in the past. Yet, Maj Roy and his fellow officers remained undeterred, driven by their duty to serve. In the early hours of February 26, 2010, tragedy struck. A group of heavily armed suicide bombers and terrorists launched a well-planned and coordinated attack on the guesthouse. The assault began with a powerful explosion—an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in an explosive-laden vehicle, causing massive destruction. The blast instantly killed the guards patrolling the perimeter and the guesthouse’s owner, while also severely damaging the compound wall.

With the outer security compromised, the attackers stormed the guesthouse, hurling grenades and firing indiscriminately at the unarmed Indian officers. The situation escalated rapidly, leaving Maj Nitesh Roy and his team with no time to prepare a defence. Despite being unarmed and facing near-certain death, Maj Nitesh Roy refused to surrender to panic. As the building crumbled around him, he and his buddy managed to crawl out of the debris of their shattered rooms. With unwavering resolve, Maj Roy rushed to locate the other officers who were still trapped inside. Understanding the need to find a safer location, he directed them towards a bathroom in the innermost part of the guesthouse, hoping it would provide some cover from the onslaught. However, the attackers continued their rampage, lobbing grenades into the room where the officers had taken refuge. The explosions ignited a fire, engulfing their belongings in flames. Realizing that they could no longer remain in the burning room, Maj Nitesh Roy exhorted his fellow officers to move out. In his attempt to save others, he suffered severe burns, yet he remained focused on getting his comrades to safety.

With more than 40 percent burns on his body, Maj Roy was critically injured but still managed to hold on. He was swiftly evacuated and airlifted to the Army’s Research and Referral (RR) Hospital in Delhi, where doctors fought to save his life. His wife, Captain Seema Mishra, who was posted at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at the time, rushed to be by his side. Despite his excruciating pain, Maj Roy remained hopeful. He told his friends that he wanted to survive for his two-year-old daughter, who was waiting for him back home in India. His sheer willpower and indomitable spirit inspired all those around him. However, as days passed, his condition deteriorated. He was placed on a ventilator, but the injuries proved too severe. On March 3, 2010, Major Nitesh Roy succumbed to his wounds, making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Major Nitesh Roy displayed extraordinary courage, selflessness, and unwavering determination in the face of overwhelming odds. His actions went beyond the call of duty, embodying the finest traditions of the Indian Army. Recognizing his conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice, the Government of India posthumously awarded him the "Shaurya Chakra", the nation’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Major Nitesh Roy is survived by his wife, an Army officer Colonel Seema Mishra and daughter Ms Vaishnavi.

Citation of “Shaurya Chakra” awarded to him reads:-

Major Nitesh Roy was deployed to Kabul as part of the Indian English Language Team. In the early morning of 26 February 2010, a well guarded residential compound housing six Army medical officers, four par, medics and two other Army officers were attacked by heavily armed and determined terrorist suicide bombers. The attack was initiated by the detonation of a suicidal vehicle borne IED at the boundary wall resulting in the instantaneous death of three security guards and total collapse of the boundary wall and the residential compound. A grenades and subjecting it to volleys of Kalashnikov fire, thereby catching the  unarmed occupants by total surprise. The terrorist then started room to room search for any sign of survivors. Standing up to the challenge in the face of certain death, unarmed Major Nitesh Roy along with his buddy crawled out of the debris of their respective rooms and rushed towards those of the three officers on one side of the guesthouse and directed them towards a bathroom located in the inner most corner of the guesthouse. Their hiding place was by  then ablaze because of grenade attacks and their clothing was on fire. When the terrorist finally blew up his suicide vest as a result of the heroic act of another officer. Major Nitesh Roy  exhorted the other officers to move out of the burning room. In doing so he himself sustained the major brunt of the fire. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Tribute by Major Nitesh Roy’s friend :

Nitesh and I were classmates. In Ranchi, we did our 10+2 from the same school in the 90’s. I admired him for his built, guts and intelligence! He considered me to be smarter than him, just because I carried that aura of intelligence (Just the aura, mind you, because my elder brother was an IITian then!)

I still remember those bicycle rides. We used to go for Physics and Chemistry tuition and later get into a debate on politics. I admired him for his strong character, logical reasoning and the smiling self-confidence with which he carried himself, 6ft’3 and taller than me!

Both of us were preparing for Engineering exams including IIT-JEE, hoping to clear them. That’s what you eventually do in Bihar! You gun for an Engineering Degree or later go to Delhi to prepare for an IAS/IPS exam. I guess in our 2nd attempt at entrance exams post 12th, we realized that cracking the IIT code wasn’t our ballgame! He had something else, destined. Nitesh started preparing for other exams. Yes, his sound judgment, logical reasoning and self-confidence the utmost he had in him, helped him crack this code. I was very thrilled to hear that he had joined the Indian Army, but we lost contact. It’s our karma that takes us places. It was only when a common friend and I met in London in 2011, I asked him where Nitesh Roy would be posted now? He told me, that Nitesh went on to become Major Nitesh Roy and was posted in Afghanistan and is no more!!!

I am reminded of the self-confidence and guts he showed in school days ! I shall never forget those debate, arguments and our cycle ride back home. In this age of selfies, I miss having clicked one snap of ours together, wish we had easy access to camera or mobile those days, but so long am alive, will always remember you.

All those selfies are etched in my memory, you will always remain a hero, my friend.