Naik Tirath Lal SC

Naik Tirath Lal hailed from Dabher village in the Anandpur area of Ropar district, Punjab, and was born on 13 April 1964. From a young age, he nurtured a strong sense of duty and patriotism, which eventually inspired him to join the armed forces. After completing his schooling, he chose to pursue a career in the Indian Army, seeking a life of discipline, service, and sacrifice for the nation. He was recruited into the 6 Dogra Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army renowned for its gallant soldiers, rich traditions, and numerous battle honours earned in different theatres of war. Through his dedication and perseverance, he gradually earned the respect of his comrades and superiors alike, becoming known as a dependable and courageous soldier. On the personal front, Naik Tirath Lal was married to Ms. Sudesh Kumari.

Nowshera Operation J&K: 31 Aug 2001

In 2001, Naik Tirath Lal was serving with the 6 Dogra Regiment, which was deployed in the Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir—an area that had long been troubled by insurgency and terrorist activity. The battalion’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) extended along the Line of Control (LOC), a sensitive sector vulnerable to frequent cross-border infiltration attempts by heavily armed militants. Operating in such a volatile environment demanded a constant state of vigilance, with troops required to execute both counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration tasks. Apart from well-planned operations, the unit also conducted relentless patrols to dominate the terrain, restrict militant movement, and ensure the safety of civilians living in the border villages.

On 31 August 2001, Naik Tirath Lal was assigned the critical task of leading a search operation in the forested belt of Nowshera in J&K. This particular area, with its dense vegetation and rugged terrain, had long provided natural hideouts to militants. While advancing through the thick forest cover, his party suddenly came under a heavy burst of gunfire from a group of well-armed terrorists at around 1030 hours. In the opening exchange, Naik Tirath Lal was struck by a bullet in his left thigh, leaving him grievously wounded. Despite the intense pain and heavy bleeding, his resolve to fight remained unshaken. Even as the terrorists attempted to withdraw under the cover of sustained fire, Naik Tirath Lal refused to relent. Summoning extraordinary courage, he charged forward and shot down the terrorist who was providing cover to the retreating group. Moments later, he noticed two more terrorists trying to escape while using two civilians as human shields. Fully aware of the risk, Naik Tirath Lal displayed remarkable presence of mind and precise marksmanship by firing at one of them, eliminating him instantly with a headshot—thus saving the life of the civilian hostage.

The last remaining terrorist, shaken by this display of courage, released his hostage and opened fire directly at Naik Tirath Lal. In this exchange, he was hit again—this time in the neck and pelvic region. Severely wounded and unable to stand, Naik Tirath Lal fell to the ground. Yet, even in his final moments, he refused to give up. Gathering his remaining strength, he lobbed a grenade at the terrorist, neutralising him before succumbing to his injuries. Naik Tirath Lal made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at the age of 37, embodying the finest traditions of soldiering. For his conspicuous bravery, indomitable spirit, and extraordinary leadership under fire, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 2002.

Naik Tirath Lal is survived by his wife, Smt. Sudesh Kumari and son Sepoy Rajandeep, who proudly carries forward the legacy of his father by joining the same battalion, thereby continuing the family’s noble tradition of service to the nation.