Sepoy Shish Ram

Sepoy Shish Ram Nimad was born on December 10, 1976, into the family of Shri Chaudhary Asharam Nimad and Smt Shyonki Devi in Naurangpura village, located in Rajgarh tehsil of Churu district, Rajasthan. Growing up in a culturally rich and rural environment, Sep Shish Ram imbibed the values of discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of community from his family and surroundings. His upbringing instilled in him a deep patriotism and a commitment to serving his nation, inspiring him to pursue a career in the armed forces. Married to Ms. Bimla Devi, Sep Shish Ram balanced his personal life with his aspirations of contributing to the country’s defence, a dream that he was determined to fulfill.

On December 28, 1995, Sep Shish Ram achieved his goal by being recruited into the Jat Regiment, one of the most prestigious and historic regiments of the Indian Army. Renowned for its legacy of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice, the Jat Regiment became the ideal platform for Sep Shish Ram to realize his ambitions. During his rigorous initial training, he displayed exceptional determination, adapting quickly to the challenges of military life.

Battle of Point 4875 (Kargil War): 04-08 July 1999

During 1999, Sep Shish Ram’s 17 Jat battalion was deployed in J & K along the LOC. In 1999, the Indian Army detected a massive infiltration by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. Sep Shish Ram’s 17 Jat Battalion, under the command of Col US Bawa, was inducted into the Mushkoh Valley on 22 May 1999. The battalion was functioning under the command of 79 Mountain Brigade (79 Mtn Bde), with overall operational control being exercised by 8 Mtn Div (Mountain Division) under Maj Gen Mohinder Puri. By 30 June 1999, the Indian Army had captured many militarily significant features including Pt 5140 and Pt 4700. The next important feature that was needed to be captured was Pt 4875 which dominated the National Highway from Mugalpur to Drass a stretch of about 30 km. A feature called 'Rocky Knob' linked it with Tiger Hill. Its capture was important to seal the enemy operations in Mushkoh and hasten its withdrawal. A bold plan was made by 79 Mtn Bde under the command of Brig RK Kakar to capture Pt 4875 by utilizing the elements of 17 Jat, 13 JAK Rif, 2 Naga, 12 Mahar, and 21 Para(SF) along with the Artillery support. Pt 4875 feature comprised Whale Back, Pimple I, Pimple II, Southern Slope, and Flat Top; and the Northern side was named Twin Bumps and Saddle.

As per the operational plan, the attack was to be launched on 04 July, and in Phase-I 17 Jat was to capture Pimple I and Whale Back from the south by 05 July morning. In the same phase, 13 Jak Rif was to capture South Spur from the southeast and Pt 4875 from the south; a team of 21 Para(SF) was to establish a block along Safaid Nala; a company of 12 Mahar was to establish a firm base at Pt 4540 and Tekri to interdict enemy between Twin Bumps and Pt 4875. In Phase-II, 17 Jat was to capture Pimple II by 07 July morning and exploit up to North Spur; 13 JAK Rif was to capture Flat Top in the same time frame and 2 Naga was to capture Twin Bumps by 07 July morning and exploit towards the northeast. Capt Anuj Nayyar, who was promoted to the rank of Captian on 23 June 1999, was functioning as platoon commander of 'Charlie Company' under Major Padam Janghu with Major Ritesh Sharma as second-in-command. The assault was launched as planned on 04 July at 2100 hrs by 17 Jat and 13 JAK Rif after softening the enemy targets with two batteries of Bofors. By 0500 hrs, on 05 July, A and D Companies of 17 Jat under the command of Maj RK Singh and Maj Deepak Rampal respectively captured Whale Back and Pimple I despite stiff enemy resistance. In the same time frame, 13 JAK Rif captured Flat Top and by midday, the Pt 4875 was also captured. However, the enemy was still holding out at many places and Phase II of the attack was needed to be launched.

The Charlie Company of 17 Jat led by Maj Ritesh Sharma launched the attack on Pimple II on 06 July night from the direction of Whale Back. During the initial phase of the assault, Capt Nayyar’s company commander Maj Ritesh Sharma got wounded after sustaining splinter injuries and was evacuated. Capt Nayyar who had been promoted to the Captain’s rank during the Kargil war itself, took over as the company commander. The Pakistani infiltrators had constructed several bunkers on Pt. 4875 and Capt Nayyar’s soldiers located 4 enemy bunkers which were attacking our troops with automatic machine guns. Capt Nayyar and his troops fought with admirable courage and eventually cleared all four enemy bunkers on Pt. 4875. However, while doing so, Sep Shish Ram got injured in the enemy firing. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred on 06 July 1999. The securing of the Pimple Complex area paved the way for the recapture of Tiger Hill which finally forced Pakistan to retreat its forces to pre-conflict positions. Besides Sep Shish Ram, the other brave hearts martyred in this entire operation included one officer, Capt Anuj Nayyar, and 27 other soldiers. The other martyred soldiers included Hav Bhagwan Singh, Hav Kumar Singh, Hav Hari Om, Hav Mahavir Singh, Nk Balwan Singh, Nk Krishan Lal, Nk Rishipal Singh, Nk Ram Swaroop Singh, L Nk Rajesh, L Nk Ramvir Singh, L Nk Vijay Singh, L Nk Rajbir, Sep Raj Singh, Sep Karan Singh, Sep Kalu Ram Jakhar, Sep Kanchi Singh, Sep Syodana Ram, Sep Surender, Sep Anil Kumar, Sep Hawa Singh, Sep Jitendra Singh, Sep Naresh Kumar, Sep Virander Kumar. L Nk Rajendra Singh & Sep Dharamvir Singh were martyred on 8th Jul 1999, whereas Nk Shyam Bir Singh succumbed to his injuries on 9th Jul 1999. Sep Shish Ram was a gallant and determined soldier, who laid down his life before he could turn 23 in the line of his duty. Sep Shish Ram was awarded "Mention-in-Despatches" (Posthumously) for his commendable courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.

Sepoy Shish Ram is survived by his wife Smt Bimla Devi.

• A memorial dedicated to Sepoy Shish Ram Nimad has been built in his village, Naurangpura, in Churu district, of Rajasthan to honour his sacrifice.
• Additionally, the local government school has been renamed "Shaheed Sepoy Shish Ram Nimad Government High School", Naurangpura in Churu district as a tribute to his legacy and service to the nation.