Sepoy Aman Kumar SM

Sepoy Aman Kumar hailed from Sultanpur village in Mohiuddin Nagar tehsil of Bihar’s Samastipur district, a region known for its strong tradition of service in the armed forces. Born to Shri Sudhir Kumar Singh and Smt Renu Devi, he grew up in a close-knit family as the second among three brothers and a sister. From an early age, he displayed a deep sense of discipline, responsibility, and patriotism, qualities that gradually shaped his unwavering aspiration to serve the nation in uniform. Driven by this childhood dream, he joined the Indian Army in 2014 at the young age of 19 years. He was recruited into the 16 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its valour, steadfastness, and rich legacy of battlefield achievements. As a young soldier, he quickly adapted to the rigours of military life, embracing the demanding training, operational responsibilities, and the ethos of selfless service that define infantry soldiers. His early years in service were marked by sincerity, hard work, and an unyielding commitment to duty.

After a few years of service, Sepoy Aman Kumar entered a new phase of his personal life when he married Ms Minu Devi in February 2019. By 2020, he had completed nearly six years of dedicated service, during which he was deployed in various operational areas and gained valuable field experience. He had matured into a dependable and deeply committed soldier, respected by his peers and superiors alike for his conduct and professionalism. Beyond his military duties, Sepoy Aman Kumar remained strongly connected to his roots. Whenever he returned home on leave, he made it a point to interact with the youth and elders of his village. Proud of his uniform, he actively motivated others to consider a career in the armed forces, inspiring many through his own example of determination and service. Known for his humility, warmth, and approachability, he was widely admired and liked by everyone in the village, earning respect not only as a soldier of the nation but also as a role model for the younger generation.

Operation Snow Leopard (Battle of Galwan): 15 June 2020

By June 2020, Sepoy Aman Kumar’s unit, 16 Bihar of the Bihar Regiment, was deployed in Eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as part of Operation Snow Leopard. From early May, Chinese troops began making repeated attempts to obstruct India’s long-established and traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, resulting in a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgressions were reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the Pangong Lake. Each of these incursions was promptly detected and resolutely countered by Indian forces. Parallel diplomatic and military engagements consistently conveyed India’s firm position that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC was unacceptable. As tensions escalated, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed to a phased disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to refrain from activities that could disturb the prevailing situation. However, in a blatant violation of this understanding, Chinese forces instigated a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.

Recognising the seriousness of the situation and upholding the highest traditions of leadership, Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar, personally led a small team to the friction point to engage the Chinese side and ensure compliance with the disengagement agreement. During the discussions, an altercation broke out and rapidly escalated into a scuffle. The situation soon descended into a brutal clash, with Chinese troops—armed with improvised lethal weapons such as clubs and rods—launching a coordinated assault. The Indian soldiers were heavily outnumbered, and it became clear that the opposing side had come prepared for violence. As the clash intensified, Sepoy Aman Kumar, along with his comrades, rushed forward to support their embattled fellow soldiers, standing shoulder to shoulder in defence of their commanding officer and unit. The confrontation raged for several hours across treacherous terrain under freezing conditions. During this prolonged and savage melee, many Indian soldiers sustained grievous injuries. Ultimately, Sepoy Aman Kumar, Col Santosh Babu, and 18 other brave soldiers succumbed to their injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. The fallen heroes included Naik Deepak Kumar; Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh; Naib Subedar Nanduram Soren; Naib Subedar Satnam Singh; Havildar K. Palani; Havildar Bipul Roy; Havildar Sunil Kumar; Sepoy Chandan Kumar, Sepoy Ganesh Hansda; Sepoy Ganesh Ram; Sepoy Rajesh Orang; Sepoy C.K. Pradhan; Sepoy Gurbinder Singh; Sepoy Kundan Kumar; Sepoy K.K. Ojha; Sepoy Jai Kishore Singh; Sepoy Gurtej Singh; and Sepoy Ankush. Sepoy Aman Kumar exemplified fearless courage, unwavering commitment, and selfless devotion to duty. He laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, defending the nation’s honour against overwhelming odds. In recognition of his exceptional bravery, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the "Sena Medal" on 26 January 2021—a fitting tribute to a young soldier who gave everything for the nation.

Sep Aman Kumar is survived by his wife Smt Minu Devi, father Shri Sudhir Kumar Singh and mother Smt Renu Devi.