Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan VrC

Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan hailed from Kupwara district in Jammu & Kashmir. He joined the 9 J&K Militia after completing his education. In response to the Pakistani invasion of Kashmir in 1947, local militias were raised for specific sectors, such as Jammu, Leh, Nubra, etc. and 9 J&K Militia was one of them. The militias were a paramilitary force and operated on the Line of Control. In 1972, the J&K Militia was converted to a full-fledged Army regiment as the Jammu and Kashmir Militia under the Ministry of Defence. Later in 1976, the regiment was renamed as the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.

After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Lal Jan and the couple had a son Bashir Ahmed Khan. By the year 1971, Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan had become a Junior Commissioned Officer. By then he had served in various field areas and gained substantial experience to be a battle-ready soldier and dependable JCO. 

Indo-Pak War : 08 Dec 1971

During the 1971 war, Nb Sub Sultan Mohd Khan's battalion 9 J&K Militia was deployed in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir. On the 8th Dec 1971, Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan was ordered to take a patrol to reconnoiter the strongly held enemy position in the Kargil Sector. The patrol was one of the many that were launched as part of the plan to capture Sherqila, a pass on the icy heights of Kargil between the Indus & Shingo Rivers. On that day, while probing the defences, one party carrying the Light Machine Gun strayed into a minefield and its members were injured by a mine blast. The enemy was alerted and opened fire from automatic weapons. Nb Sub Sultan Mohd Khan realising the danger, immediately rushed to take the Light Machine Gun. Though seriously wounded, he crawled up to the Light Machine Gun and engaged the enemy till the rest of his party could neutralize the bunker. He then positioned his Light Machine Gun at a vantage point and engaged the enemy thus contributing to the success of the operation. 

Nb Sub Sultan Mohd Khan showed exemplary courage and devotion to duty during the operation. However, he later lost his life in an air crash on 11 Dec 1971. Nb Sub Sultan Mohd Khan was a fearless and committed soldier who laid down his life in the line of his duty. Nb Sub Sultan Mohd Khan was given the nation’s third highest gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his exceptional bravery, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice. Eventually on 15 Dec 1971, 9 J&K Militia captured Sherqila & Point 13620, the highest mountain peak overlooking Kargil town. The battalion was also awarded the battle honour "SHINGO RIVER VALLEY".

Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan is survived by his wife Smt Lal Jan Begum and son Shri Bashir Ahmed Khan. 

The citation of "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan was ordered to take a patrol to reconnoiter the strongly held enemy position in an action in the Kargil Sector. On the 8th Dec 1971, while probing the defences, one party carrying the Light Machine Gun strayed into a minefield and its members were injured by a mine blast. The enemy was alerted and opened fire from automatic weapons. Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan realising the danger, immediately rushed to take the Light Machine Gun. Though seriously wounded, he crawled upto the Light Machine Gun and engaged the enemy till the rest of his party could neutralize the bunker. He then postioned his Light Machine Gun at a vantage point and engaged the enemy and thus contributed to the success of the  operation. subsequently, he died in an air crash.

In this action Naib Subedar Sultan Mohd Khan displayed gallantry and determination of a high order.