Sepoy Dharma Ram Beniwal SC

Sepoy Dharma Ram Beniwal belonged to the village Taratara in the Barmer district of Rajasthan and was born on 21 Dec 1983. Son of Shri Gang Ram Beniwal and Smt Amru Devi, he joined the army on 23 July 2003 after completing his initial education at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into 4 Mahar battalion of the famed Mahar Regiment, a well known infantry regiment. After serving for a few years, he got married to Ms Timu Devi in the year 2007 and the couple was blessed with a daughter Rajeshwari and son Harish.

During his initial years, he served with his unit in different operational areas with diverse terrain and operational conditions. He was later deputed to 1 RR unit engaged in anti-insurgency operations in J & K.

Kulgam Operation : 25 May 2015

During 2015, Sepoy Dharma Ram’s unit 1 RR was deployed in the Kulgam sector of J & K. On 25 May 2015, Sep Dharma Ram was part of a patrol launched by Major Kobitirha Sanyal towards village Kanjikul in Kulgam district. At 1300 hours the patrol team came under a sudden heavy volume of fire from a nearby house. Sep Dharma Ram exhibited exemplary presence of mind to warn his team about the direction of fire and took on the terrorist himself to prevent any team member from getting injured.

During the gun-battle Sep Dharma Ram got hit by two bullets but undeterred he exhibited exemplary field craft skill to crawl to an appropriate position from where he brought accurate fire on the terrorist and injured him gravely. The terrorist was thus neutralized and identified as Lashkar-e-Toiba District Commander. The injured Sep Dharma Ram was shifted to the battalion HQs for preliminary treatment and then was air lifted to 92 Base Hospital at Srinagar. However, Sep Dharma Ram later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Sep Dharma Ram displayed exceptional courage and determination and was awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for his conspicuous act of gallantry.

Sepoy Dharma Ram is survived by his father Shri Gang Ram Beniwal, mother Smt Amru Devi, wife Smt Timu Devi, daughter Rajeshwari and son Harish.

The citation for the Shaurya Chakra awarded to him reads:

On 25 May 2015 Sepoy Dharma Ram was part of a patrol launched by Major Kobitirha Sanyal towards the village Kanjikul at the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. At 1300 hours the patrol came under a sudden heavy volume of fire from a nearby house. Sepoy Dharma Ram exhibited exemplary presence of mind to warn his team of the direction of fire and encountered the terrorist fearlessly in a direct firefight. He selflessly put himself in the face of terrorist fire and fought with nerves of steel to prevent any team member from getting injured.

During the firefight, the individual sustained two bullet wounds on his back and thigh. Unmindful and undeterred from the grave injury and although bleeding profusely the individual exhibited exemplary field craft to crawl to an appropriate position from where he brought accurate fire on the terrorist and injured him gravely. The terrorist was thus neutralized and identified as Lashkar-e-Toiba District Commander.

Sepoy Dharma Ram made the supreme sacrifice of his life in true traditions of the Indian Army. For this act of courage beyond the call of duty, dogged determination and conspicuous gallantry Sepoy Dharma Ram is awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA” (POSTHUMOUSLY).

• The statue of Sepoy Dharma Ram Beniwal has been installed at the village Taratara in the Barmer district of Rajasthan in his honour.