Sepoy Ajay Kumar SM

Sepoy Ajay Kumar hailed from Bassi Tikri village in Meerut District of Uttar Pradesh. Son of an Army veteran Veerpal Singh, Sep Ajay Kumar was second among three siblings. Sep Ajay Kumar joined the army in 2011 and served in various operational areas during his service. After serving for few years with his parent unit he was deputed to serve with 55 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. He got married to Ms Dimple in the year 2015 and the couple had a son Arav.

Pulwama Operation: 18 Feb 2019

During 2018-2019, Sep Ajay Kumar’s unit 55 RR, was deployed in Pulwama district in J&K and was engaged in operations against the militants on a regular basis. Following the terrorists’ attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama on 14 Feb 2019, the security forces were maintaining a state of high alert and subsequently a massive operation was launched to nab the perpetrators of the attack. On 17 Feb 2019, the security forces received credible information from the intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Pinglan village of Pulwama district. Based on the intelligence inputs 55 RR along with the Special Operation Group of J & K Police launched a search and destroy operation in Pinglan a neighborhood of Kakpora the home of the terrorist, who had attacked the CRPF convoy on 14 Feb.

The assault team was being led by Brigadier Harbir Singh himself and Sep Ajay Kumar was part of the team. On being challenged the terrorists opened fire and a fierce gun battle ensued thereafter lasting for over 20 hours. A number of hardcore terrorists responsible for the attack on CRPF convoy on 14 Feb, were eliminated during the encounter. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, eleven security personnel too got injured including the leader of the team. The injured soldiers were shifted to the Army Hospital but  Sep Ajay Kumar and three other soldiers Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, Sepoy Hari Singh, and Hav Sheo Ram succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Sep Ajay Kumar displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a very high order and laid down his life at the age of 27 years, in the service of the nation. Sep Ajay Kumar was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

Sepoy Ajay Kumar is survived by his wife Smt Dimple and son Arav.