Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar

During 2024, Nb Sub Vipan Kumar’s unit 11 RR battalion was deployed in the Kishtwar district of J&K along the LOC. 11 RR battalion was operating as part of the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) (Delta Force) under the operational control of XVI Corps also known as 'White Knight Corps', one of the operational Corps of the Indian Army looking after the extent of Pir Panjal Ranges to the Shivalik Ranges and also the plains of Jammu and Akhnoor. The Kishtwar district was surrounded by Doda and Anantnag districts which were affected by active militancy. The LOC too was highly active and volatile where cease-fire violations occurred very often and without any warning. It was also used by the terrorists for infiltration with the connivance of Pakistani security forces. On 13 Sep 2024, the security forces received information from intelligence sources about the presence of some militants in the Chhatroo area in the Kishtwar district of J&K. Based on the credible information, a massive joint operation named "Op Shahpurshal" was launched by 11 RR troops with J&K Police in Chhatroo area of Kishtwar district. Nb Sub Vipan Kumar was part of the 11 RR team that was assigned the task of undertaking that operation. 

As planned on 13 Sep 2024, Nb Sub Vipan Kumar and his comrades reached the suspected area in Pingnal Dugadda forest in the upper reaches of Naidgham village in Chhatroo. The first contact with the militants was made at about 15:30 hrs, who fired at the troops on being challenged. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter in which few militants were eliminated. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Nb Sub Vipan Kumar and Sep Arvind Singh, and two other soldiers got severely injured and were immediately shifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for medical treatment. But Nb Sub Vipan Kumar and Sepoy Arvind Singh soon succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Nb Sub Vipan Kumar was a dedicated and committed JCO who laid down his life at the age of 42 years in the service of the nation.