Naik Mithilesh Pathak

Naik Mithilesh Pathak hailed from Dharamshala village in Gaya district of Bihar. He joined the Army after his initial schooling and was recruited into the Bihar Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its dauntless soldiers and numerous battle exploits. After serving for some years with his parent unit, he was deputed to serve with 4 Rashtriya Rifles deployed in J & K area for counter insurgency operations. By the year 1999, he had put in substantial number of years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Naik. 

Kupwara Attack: 06 Aug 1999

During Aug 1999, Naik Mithilesh Pathak was serving with 4 RR battalion, deployed in Kupwara district of J&K. Though, the Kargil war had ended on 26 July 1999, the situation along the LOC was tense during Aug 1999, and the troops were on alert for any eventualities. Also during that period a substantial number of army personnel were deployed at Anantnag as part of the security cover for Amarnath Yatra. The Kupwara town was left under the CRPF and the militants saw this as an opportune moment to attack the Army camp of 4 RR unit. Thus in a pre-planned move, at around 1:15 am on 06 Aug 1999, the Army camp of 4 RR unit in village Chak Nutnusa in Kupwara district was attacked by a group of heavily armed militants.

Capt Mandeep Singh was the Company Commander of 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalion which came under the deadly armed assault on that day. Capt Mandeep Singh and his troops including Nk Mithilesh Pathak swung into action and counter attacked. Though it was a surprise attack, Nk Mithilesh Pathak and his comrades rose to the occasion and effectively engaged the militants. However during the heavy exchange of fire Nk Mithilesh Pathak received gun shots and was severely injured. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Besides Naik Mithilesh Pathak, three more soldiers from 4 RR Battalion made the supreme sacrifice during the operation. The other martyred soldiers included Capt Mandeep Singh, Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana and Sowar Sohan Singh Solanki. Nk Mithilesh Pathak was a gallant and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life in the service of the nation.

Naik Mithilesh Pathak is survived by his wife Smt Archana Devi.