Rifleman Satish Bhagat

Rifleman Satish Bhagat hailed from Gurhasinghu village in the Shamachak area of the Jammu district. Son of an army veteran Hony Capt Ajit Lal and Smt Kamlesh Kumari, Rfn Satish Bhagat had an elder brother Sushil as his sibling. Right from his younger days, he always wished to follow in the footsteps of his father and don the Army uniform. Following his dream, he joined the army after completing his school education in the year 2015. He was recruited into the 3 JAK Rif battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and rich history of various battle honours.

Kupwara Operation: 12 Jul, 2017

During 2017 Rfn Satish Bhagat's unit 3 JAK LI was deployed in Keran Sector of Kupwara district in the Kashmir valley. The unit was deployed in the high-altitude areas along the LOC and was manning the forward posts along the border. Besides manning the posts, the troops launched regular armed patrols to monitor the area between the posts. The year 2017 continued with ceasefire violations by Pak forces like previous years violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the pact during flag meetings between the two sides. In yet another case of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire in Keran sector of Kupwara district on 12 July 2017.

On 12 July 2017, Pakistan Army troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian posts from across the border in Keran Sector of Kupwara district. During that period, Rfn Satish Bhagat was manning one of the forward posts in the Furkiya area of Chowkibal in Keran sector along the Line of Control. The Pakistani forces used mortars and other weapons during the firing. Indian army responded in a befitting manner to the Pakistani aggression and consequently, a heavy exchange of fire ensued thereafter, which continued intermittently for several hours. However during the heavy exchange of fire, Rfn Satish Bhagat  and his comrade L/Nk Ranjit Singh received multiple splinter injuries. They were provided immediate medical aid and evacuated to the nearest military medical facility for treatment. But unfortunately L/Nk Ranjit Singh and Rfn Satish Bhagat later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred.  Rfn Satish Bhagat was a brave and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life in the line of his duty.

Rifleman Satish Bhagat is survived by his father Hony Capt Ajit Lal, mother Smt Kamlesh Kumari and brother Shri Sushil Bhagat.