Rifleman Parvesh Kumar

Rifleman Parvesh Kumar Rana hailed from Mukhala village of Indri tehsil in Karnal district of Haryana. Son of  Shri Rameshwar Das Rana and Smt. Kamlesh Devi Rifleman Parvesh Kumar was born on 06 Feb 1979. After completing his schooling he joined the Indian Army on 05 March 1996 at the age of 17 years, He was recruited into 11 Raj Rif Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours. After completing his training, he served in various operational areas and developed into a dedicated soldier. 

Op Thunderbolt (Kargil War): 06 June 1999

During 1999, Rfn Parvesh Kumar's unit 11 Raj Rif was deployed in J & K along the LOC. In 1999, It was very early days of Kargil war when there was very less information available about the enemy troops. A company of 11 Raj Rif was deployed in Turtok region as part of "Operation Thunderbolt" in June 1999 at an altitude of 18,000 feet in the Turtuk region. Their mission was to capture a position in the region which would facilitate the army to monitor the movements of the enemy troops better. The capture of this position would give the troops a strategic advantage in those early stages of the war. Rfn Parvesh Kumar and two other soldiers were tasked for this operation with one JCO, Nb Sub Mangej Singh and Captain Haneef Uddin as the Patrol team leader. They made significant strides on the nights of 4^th and 5^th June and captured nearby positions. They captured the adjacent position and set out their advance on 6^th June to capture the position they desired. They were undeterred by an altitude of 18,500 feet and extreme temperatures. They were however spotted by the enemy and fired upon. A firefight followed, against an enemy equipped with heavy weaponry and supported by artillery.

When the patrol was 50 metres short of the target, the enemy opened heavy automatic fire on the troops. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Nb Sub Mangej Singh took charge of the MMG (medium machine gun) and engaged the enemy. The Medium Machine Gun was deployed in the open terrain without any cover. In the firefight, Rfn Parvesh Kumar received gunshots and was severly injured. Undeterred by his injuries, he continued firing on the enemy till the patrol could extricate itself from the enemy fire. Rfn Parvesh Kumar soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Besides Rfn Parvesh Kumar, Nb Sub Mangej Singh and their patrol leader Captain Haneef Uddin were also martyred during the entire operation. Rfn Parvesh Kumar was a brave and committed soldier, who laid down his life at the very early age of 20 years in the service of the nation.

Rfn Parvesh Kumar is survived by his father Shri Rameshwar Das Rana and mother Smt Kamlesh Devi.