Naik Laxman B Oulkar SC

Naik Laxman B Oulkar hailed from Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Son of Shri Bhavaku Oulkar and Smt Yashoda Bhavaku Oulkar, he was the youngest of seven siblings and was born on 1st Jun 1962. After finishing his school education Nk Laxman got selected to join the army on 29th Sept 1981 at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into the 19 MLI battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, an infantry regiment well known for its gallant soldiers and several battle honours. After completing his training, he served in various operational areas and developed into a fine soldier with admirable soldierly skills. By 1993, he had been promoted to the rank of Naik and by then had gathered substantial field experience.

Sopore Operation (J&K): 12 Nov 1993

During 1993 Naik Laxman B Oulkar's unit 19 MLI  was deployed in J&K  for counter-insurgency operations. The AOR (Area Of Responsibility) of his unit was affected by terrorist activities and thus the unit troops had to maintain a high state of alert and often undertake operations against the terrorists. On 12 Nov 1993, based on the information from intelligence sources, the unit decided to launch an operation to nab the terrorists. Naik Laxman was made part of the team that was assigned the task of undertaking that opertaion. As planned Naik Laxman B Oulkar and his comrades reached the suspected area in Rawchha village of Sopore tehsil in Baramulla district of J&K and launched a search & cordon operation.

As the search operation was underway Nk Laxman and other soldiiers came under fire from militants hiding in a house. The militants threw grenades and resorted to indiscrimminate firing to break the cordon. Naik Laxman B Oulkar and his companions took cover and retaliated. The militants continued throwing grenades from the house and one of the grenades seriously injured Naik Laxman. Seeing that the militants were heavily armed and posing great danger to his comrades, the injured Naik Laxman B Oulkar crawled to the house and threw a grenade inside. As a result of this daring attack, two militants were killed on the spot. The third militant, who was burnt by the grenade's explosion, came out of the house firing at the soldiers. Naik Laxman B Oulkar, who was holding his position at the door, killed him too with a gunshot.. In the ensuing gun battle, all the terrorists were eliminated and the huge amount of weapons & ammunition were recovered from the house. However, Nk Laxman succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Nk Laxman was a gallant soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 31 years in the service of the nation. He was given the gallantry award "Shaurya Chakra" on 15 August 1994, for his extraordinary courage, fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

Nk Laxman Bhavaku Oulkar is survived by his wife Smt Shobha Laxman Oulkar, Son Shri Umesh Laxman Oulkar, and daughter Ms Supriya Laxman Oulkar.

Appreciation by Commanding Officer:

On the date of 12th November 1993, during an operation to search for militants hiding in the village of Tola, Baramulla district, Kashmir, Naik Laxman B Oulkar's squad of the 19th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry came under fire from militants hiding in a house. The militants threw grenades. Naik Laxman B Oulkar and his companions took cover and retaliated. The militants continued throwing grenades from the house. One of the grenades seriously injured Naik Laxman B Oulkar. Seeing that the militants were not coming out, the injured Naik Laxman B Oulkar crawled to the house and threw a grenade inside. Two militants were killed on the spot. The third militant, who was burnt by the grenade's explosion, came out firing. Naik Laxman B Oulkar, who was holding his position at the door, killed him with a gunshot. Naik Laxman B Oulkar succumbed to his serious injuries.

Having displayed immense courage, Naik Laxman B Oulkar sacrificed his life by eliminating the notorious Pakistani militants. By showing such courage and devotion to duty, he upheld the traditions of the Maratha Regiment and added a golden chapter to the history of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. He will forever serve as an inspiration to future generations.

Col NS Sahrawat

Commanding Officer

19th Bn the Maratha LI