Naik Dilawar Khan

Naik Dilawar Khan hailed from Gharwasda village in Bangana tehsil of Una district in Himachal Pradesh and was born in March 1996. Son of Shri Karamdeen, Nk Dilawar Khan was inclined to join the Army since his younger days and kept following his dream. He eventually joined the Army after completing his school education on 20 December 2014 at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into the Regiment of Artillery, a combat support arm of the Indian Army well-known for its field guns and howitzers. After serving for a few years with his parent Regiment, he was deputed to serve with the 28 RR battalion deployed in J & K for counterinsurgency operations.

Kupwara Operation(J&K): 23/24 Jul 2024

During 2024, Nk Dilawar Khan’s unit, 28 RR, was deployed in the Kupwara district in the Kashmir valley. 28 RR battalion was operating as part of the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) (Kilo Force) under the operational control of XV Corps also known as 'Chinar Corps', one of the operational Corps of the Indian Army based at Srinagar and looking after the military operations in Kashmir valley.  The battalion was operating in a militant-infested area and consequently, it had to undertake operations against the militants frequently. The LOC located near its AOR(Area of Responsibility) remained highly active and volatile with ceasefire violations occurring very often and without any warning. It was also used by the terrorists for infiltration with the connivance of Pakistani security forces. On 23 July 2024, specific intelligence was received that some terrorists were hiding in the Trumkhan forest of Kupwara district in J&K. After analyzing the information, it was decided to launch an operation to neutralize the terrorists. Accordingly, a joint operation was launched on the intervening night of 23/24 July 2024 along with elements of 28 RR and J&K police’s counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG).  Nk Dilawar Khan from the 28 RR battalion was made part of the joint team.

As planned, the joint team reached the suspected area and launched the cordon and search operation. As the search operation was underway, the terrorists, sensing the danger, fired at the troops in a bid to escape. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire from both sides. However, during the exchange of fire, Nk Dilawar Khan received gunshots and got severely injured. Later, he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Nk Dilawar Khan displayed outstanding courage and gallantry and laid down his life at the age of 28 years in the line of duty. 

Nk Dilawar Khan is survived by his father Shri Karamdeen, his wife, and two children.