Sepoy Pawan Kumar KC

Sepoy Pawan Kumar hailed from Rampur tehsil in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh and was born in the year 1997. Son of Shri Shishu Pal and Smt Bhajun Dassi, he joined the Army after completing his school education. He was recruited into 16 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers with a rich history of various battle honours. He gradually developed into a dedicated and professionally competent soldier.  After serving for some time with his parent unit, he was deputed to serve with 55 RR Battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.

Potgampura Operation  (J&K): 28 Feb 2023

During Feb 2023 Sep Pawan Kumar's unit 55 RR was deployed in the Pulwama district of J & K. The unit troops were engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a regular basis, as its AOR (Area of Responsibility) was affected by active militancy. Based on the information from the intelligence sources, an operation was planned in Padgampora village in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district, to neutralize two terrorists, who were suspected to have taken shelter there. Consequently, a joint operation was planned on 28 Feb 2023, by 55 RR along with the elements of CRPF and J&K Police. Sep Pawan Kumar was part of the 55 RR team that reached the suspected area as planned and launched the search and cordon operation.

The terrorists were hiding in a mosque in Padgampora village posing a challenge to the security forces. The security forces decided to exercise extreme caution and limited firepower to prevent any collateral damage. The civilians were evacuated before using firepower to prevent them from getting caught in a crossfire.  Sep Pawan Kumar was in the lead element of his party when it came into contact with one of the terrorists during the search operation. Sep Pawan Kumar in a sheer act of bravery overpowered the terrorist in a hand-to-hand combat and eventually managed to kill him. However while doing so, he too sustained multiple gunshots and was grievously injured. Meanwhile, the other terrorist escaped to an adjacent building and hid in the bathroom. He too was later eliminated by the troops. A large number of weapons and ammunitions was recovered from the slain terrorists. However, Sep Pawan Kumar eventually succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Sep Pawan Kumar was a gallant and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 26 years in the line of his duty. Sep Pawan Kumar was given the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for his outstanding courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice

The citation for the ‘Kirti Chakra’ awarded to him reads :

On 27 February 2023, specific input was received regarding the presence of terrorists in a village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. SepoyPawan Kumar displayed exceptional tactical acumen in laying an impregnable cordon. Sepoy Pawan Kumar led the search from the front and volunteered to undertake room intervention along with his buddy. As he approached the first floor, hiding terrorists resorted to grenade lobbing and indiscriminate firing. Displaying operational composure, Sepoy Pawan Kumar retaliated with restraint to prevent collateral damage while preventing terrorists escape. Sensing grievous danger to his colleagues, in an act of supreme courage and indomitable spirit, he dashed ahead and engaged one terrorist in a hand-to-hand combat and snatched his weapon before eliminating him at very close quarters while injuring the second terrorist. In this intense firefight, SepoyPawan Kumar sustained fatal gunshot wounds and laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Terrorist eliminated was identified as Category ‘A’, terrorists.

For displaying undaunted courage and unparalleled devotion beyond the call of duty. Sepoy Pawan Kumar is awarded “KIRTI CHAKRA" (POSTHUMOUS).