Service No : 13620699W
Place of birth : Nagaur, Rajasthan
Service : Army
Last Rank : Naik
Unit : 10 Para (SF)
Arm/Regt : The Parachute Regiment
Operation : Op Vijay ( Kargil )
Awards : Sena Medal
Martyrdom : May 19, 1999
Naik SS Shekhawat SM
Naik SS Shekhawat hailed from Kuchaman city located in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. Son of Thakore Dev Singh Shekhawat and Smt Mangej Kaur, he was very passionate about the Armed Forces since his younger days. Following his passion, eventually, he got selected and joined the Indian army and was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its gallant soldiers and various daredevil operations. Later he volunteered to join the 10 Para(SF) battalion, known as “Desert Scorpions” specially trained for desert warfare.
Raised in 1967 by splitting 9 Para (SF), 10 Para(SF) later took part in the 1971 war and conducted one of the most successful commando operations in the world – The Chachro Raid. This operation became a case study in the US Special Forces and UK Special Forces – SAS. Subsequently, in 1987, 10 Para (SF) was a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Forces in Sri Lanka. In the year 1999, the unit got deployed in the Batalik sector of Ladakh. By that time Naik SS Shekhawat he had put in substantial years of service and had been promoted to the rank of Naik and had developed into a tough and dependable commando, capable of undertaking daring operations.
Kargil War (Batalik Sector Operation):19 May 1999
During May 1999, Naik SS Shekhawat's unit 10 Para(SF) was deployed in the Batalik sector of Ladakh and was part of "Operation Vijay". The unit was functioning under the command of the 70 Infantry Brigade with the overall control being with the 3 Infantry Division. By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had intruded well across the LOC, in the Mushkoh, Drass, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The extent of penetration across the LOC varied from 4 to 8 km in each sector. The intrusions in Batalik -Yaldor area were first detected in the first week of May 1999. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the enemy forces, who were not in visible range. On discerning the layout of ground and enemy intrusions, it was decided to first drive a wedge in the enemy intrusion area by opening a corridor to the LOC through the Junk Lungpa and thereafter tackle each area piecemeal. This task was given to 10 Para(SF) along with 12 JAK LI and a company of Ladakh Scouts. Naik SS Shekhawat was part of the 10 Para(SF) team that was assigned the task.
NaikSS Shekhawat along with his comrades launched the operation on 19 May 1999 with an aim to secure the area of Junk Lungpa. This area lying between Point 5203 and Point 5287 was strategically significant as it could enable 70 Inf Bde to launch operations to capture ridges occupied by the enemy in the west, east, and north. While the operation was underway, Naik SS Shekhawat and other troops came under enemy attack as the enemy soldiers could observe their movements. In the fierce gun battle, Naik SS Shekhawat and one of his comrades Nk Kundal Singh got seriously injured. They later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Inspired by the gallant action of these brave hearts, the troops continued the operation, despite stiff opposition by the enemy forces. Eventually, the mission was successfully completed on 03 June 1999. Naik Naik SS Shekhawat was a valiant and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life at the very young age of 21 years in the service of the nation.
Naik S S Shekhawat is survived by his wife Smt Banwar Kaur Bati.
No Comments