Sepoy Ravi Kant SC

Sepoy Ravi Kant Thakur hailed from Gopalpur village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and was born on 12 June 1982. Born and raised in a humble rural setting, he completed his preliminary education in his native village, where he imbibed the values of hard work, discipline, and service to the nation. Motivated by a strong sense of duty and inspired by the legacy of soldiers who had served before him, he chose to join the Indian Army. He was recruited into the 5 Dogra Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, a distinguished infantry regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers and a rich history of gallantry in various battles. Sepoy Ravi Kant served diligently with his parent unit, proving himself to be a committed and capable soldier. 

Over the years, as he continued his service with unwavering commitment, Sep Ravi Kant also built a family life filled with love and responsibility. He married Ms. Anuradha Devi, and the couple was blessed with a daughter, Samiksha, who became the apple of his eye. Despite the demanding nature of his profession, Sep Ravi Kant remained a devoted husband and father, balancing his duties as a soldier and as a family man with remarkable grace. Recognizing his dedication and performance, he was later deputed to 11 Rashtriya Rifles, a battalion tasked with counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir—one of the most challenging and demanding operational environments for any soldier.

Kishtwar Operation (J&K): 04 February 2010

In 2010, Sepoy Ravi Kant’s unit, the 11 Rashtriya Rifles, was deployed in the Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir, an area strategically important due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LOC). Kishtwar was bordered by the militancy-affected districts of Doda and Anantnag, making it a volatile and high-threat zone. The LOC in this sector was highly active, frequently witnessing unprovoked ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by militants, often with support from Pakistani security forces. On 4 February 2020, the security forces received credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of heavily armed militants who had infiltrated across the LOC. Acting swiftly, 11 RR launched a cordon-and-search operation to neutralize the threat. Sepoy Ravi Kant was part of the assault team tasked with flushing out the infiltrators and preventing any potential attack on civilian or military targets.

In the early hours of 4 February, contact was established with the militants. When challenged, the infiltrators opened heavy fire, triggering an intense and prolonged gun battle. Displaying exceptional courage and professionalism under fire, Sepoy Ravi Kant and his team retaliated with precision. In the ensuing firefight, three militants were eliminated, significantly reducing the threat in the area. However, amid the heavy exchange of gunfire, Sepoy Ravi Kant sustained severe injuries. He was immediately evacuated to the nearest Army medical facility, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his wounds and was martyred. Sepoy Ravi Kant’s actions exemplified bravery, selflessness, and unwavering devotion to duty. For his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, he was posthumously awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards.

Sepoy Ravi Kant Thakur is survived by his wife, Smt  Anuradha Devi and daughter Ms Samiksha.