Sepoy Ram Swaroop Gujar KC

Sepoy Ram Swaroop Gujar hailed from Badagaon village in Udaipurwati Tehsil of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. Sep Ram Swaroop always wanted to don the army uniform right from his younger days. Eventually, after completing his school education he joined the army and was recruited into the 27 Rajput Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its valour and battle honours in various operations. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Sarita hailing from Rajasthan. 

Baramulla Operation(J&K): 23 Sep 1992

During 1992, militancy was on the rise in J &K and the Army was increasingly getting involved in counter-insurgency operations. 27 Rajput battalion deployed in the Baramulla district of J & K was too tasked for operations against the militants on a regular basis. On 23 Sep 1992, the unit received information from intelligence sources about the presence of militants in a village in Baramulla District falling under the AOR(Area of Responsibility) of the unit. A decision was taken to launch a search and destroy operation to neutralize the militants and Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar was made part of the team that was assigned the task. 

Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar along with his comrades reached the suspected area on 23 Sep 1992 as planned and cordoned it off. Soon the troops made contact with the militants who fired at the troops on being challenged. A fierce gun battle followed thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire between the troops and militants. In the meantime, one of the terrorists broke the cordon and ran towards the nearby paddy field in a bid to escape. Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar noticed the fleeing terrorist and immediately swung into action. He chased him and cornered him in a paddy field. After being cornered, the terrorist suddenly pulled out a hand grenade. Displaying quick thinking and bravery, Sep Ram Swaroop swiftly pounced on the terrorist and prevented him from throwing the grenade. Unfortunately, the grenade exploded during the struggle, resulting in Sep Ram Swaroop being severely injured. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar though very young in service displayed courage and laid down his life in the service of the nation. Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar was given the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for his outstanding courage, leadership, camaraderie, and supreme sacrifice.

Sep Ram Swaroop Gujar is survived by his wife Smt Sarita Devi.

The citation for Kirti Chakra awarded to him reads :

At about 1330 hrs in the afternoon of the 23rd Sep 1992 during the cordon and search operation of a village in Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir, Sep Ram Swroop Gujar, along with his comrades, gave chase to a fleeing terrorist, who had broken the cordon and surrounded him in a paddy field. Suddenly the terrorist pulled out a grenade, Seeing this, Sep Ram Swroop, showed great presence of mind, and swiftly sprung upon the terrorist, preventing him from being able to lob the grenade. Unfortunately, the grenade exploded, killing Sep Ram Swroop Gurjar on the spot.

Sep Ram Swroop Gurjarthus displayed conspicuous gallantry courage and devotion to duty in saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his own