Naik Dost Mohd Khan

Naik Dost Mohd Khan hailed from Haihama Payer Pora village in the Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir. From an early age, Nk Dost Mohd Khan displayed a strong sense of purpose and responsibility. His admiration for the Indian Armed Forces, especially inspired by the stories of courage and sacrifice he heard growing up in a border region, sparked a deep desire to serve the nation. After completing his schooling in his native village, he set his sights on a military career, determined to wear the olive green uniform and defend his country. With unwavering resolve and tireless effort, he succeeded in his ambition and was recruited into the Indian Army at a young age. He was posted to the 12th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (12 JAK LI), a unit renowned for its valour, discipline, and exceptional service in some of the most challenging terrains and conflict zones in the country.

The JAK LI Regiment, one of the most distinguished in the Indian Army, has a proud legacy of producing fearless soldiers who have performed gallantly in numerous military operations, particularly along the volatile borders of Jammu and Kashmir. Naik Dost Mohd Khan quickly distinguished himself within the regiment. Serving in the treacherous and often hostile environment of the Kashmir Valley, he upheld the proud traditions of the JAK LI, contributing to its esteemed reputation in various operations and border deployments. After a few years of dedicated service, Naik Dost Mohd Khan married Ms Shah Begum, beginning a new chapter in his personal life while continuing his selfless service to the nation.

Battle of Point 4812 (Kargil War): 30 Jun 1999

In June 1999, amid the high-altitude conflict of the Kargil War, Naik Dost Mohd Khan was serving with the 12th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (12 JAK LI). His unit was deployed in the strategically critical Batalik sector of Ladakh, a region that witnessed some of the fiercest battles of the war. The battalion was operating under the 70th Infantry Brigade, with the overall operational control lying with the 3 Infantry Division of the Indian Army. By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had launched a deep and covert intrusion across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mushkoh, Dras, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The enemy had penetrated 4 to 8 kilometers inside Indian territory, occupying key mountain peaks and ridgelines. The terrain and elevation gave the enemy a considerable tactical advantage. Conventional means like artillery shelling and aerial bombardment proved ineffective in many areas, as the enemy remained camouflaged and entrenched in bunkers not visible from traditional targeting positions.

Faced with this daunting challenge, the Indian Army was left with no option but to undertake direct infantry assaults, sending troops to scale steep and icy slopes under enemy fire to reclaim occupied territory. These missions were extremely perilous, demanding not only physical endurance but also extraordinary courage. One such critical assignment was planned for 30 June 1999, when 12 JAK LI was tasked with capturing the strategically important Point 4812 in the Batalik sector. This peak was heavily fortified by enemy troops, and its control was crucial for tactical dominance in the area. Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum was entrusted with leading the assault team, which included Naik Dost Mohd Khan and several other valiant soldiers. The team approached the objective from the southeastern direction, navigating a treacherous route marked by rugged terrain, steep inclines, and a high risk of detection. Moving under the cover of darkness and maintaining strict discipline, they reached close to the enemy-held position by early morning. As they closed in, they were met with a hail of automatic gunfire from well-entrenched enemy bunkers shielded by natural boulders and rock formations, which rendered artillery support ineffective.

For nearly two hours, the Indian soldiers remained pinned down under heavy fire. Realizing the critical nature of the situation, Captain Nongrum displayed exceptional leadership and courage. He rallied his men and personally charged towards the enemy, lobbing grenades into their bunkers, creating confusion and inflicting damage. His brave assault opened a narrow window of opportunity. Taking advantage of this, Naik Dost Mohd Khan and others surged forward to carry out the final assault. In the fierce hand-to-hand combat that followed, they managed to neutralize the enemy positions and successfully capture Point 4812, achieving a significant tactical victory for the Indian Army. However, the success came at a heavy cost. During the intense firefight, Naik Dost Mohd Khan was critically wounded. Despite the valiant efforts of his comrades, he succumbed to his injuries on 30 June 1999, just a day before the official conclusion of the mission and the martyrdom of Captain Nongrum and other soldiers on 1 July 1999. Naik Dost Mohd Khan’s bravery and commitment to the mission played a pivotal role in the successful capture of a key objective during Operation Vijay. 

Naik Dost Mohd Khan is survived by his wife Smt Shah Begum.