Sowar Pangala Kartheek

Sowar Pangala Kartheek hailed from Eguva Ragimanupenta, a small village in Bangarupalem mandal of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Born into a humble yet proud family, he was the son of Shri Varadarajulu and Smt Selvi and grew up alongside his elder brother, Rajesh. From a young age, Swr Pangala Kartheek harbored a deep admiration for the Indian Armed Forces, inspired by the bravery, discipline, and selfless service of soldiers. This passion steadily grew stronger over the years, shaping his ambition to don the uniform and serve the nation. Determined to turn his aspirations into reality, Swr Pangala Kartheek worked relentlessly towards his goal. His dedication bore fruit when he was selected to join the Indian Army in 2017. 

After completing his rigorous basic military training, he was posted to his parent regiment, where he diligently honed his skills as a professional soldier. He quickly adapted to the military lifestyle, excelling in weapons handling, combat tactics, and fieldcraft. His sincerity, physical endurance, and ability to work under challenging conditions earned him the respect of his peers and superiors alike. Later Swr Pangala Kartheek was deputed to serve with the 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Battalion, a specialized counter-insurgency unit operating in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region. The Rashtriya Rifles, known for their relentless efforts in combating terrorism, are entrusted with high-risk operations aimed at neutralizing militant threats and ensuring the safety of civilians. Being a part of 22 RR exposed him to intense counter-insurgency missions, requiring him to operate in highly volatile and unpredictable environments. With nearly eight years of dedicated service by 2025, Swr Pangala Kartheek had transformed into a highly skilled, disciplined, and courageous soldier. 

Baramulla Operation (J&K): 20 Jan 2025

In Jan 2025 Swr Pangala Kartheek’s unit, the 22 RR Battalion, was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, near the Line of Control (LOC). This region was notorious for frequent infiltration attempts by heavily armed militants, necessitating continuous vigilance and proactive military operations. The 22 RR Battalion, along with other security forces, conducted regular search and destroy missions to curb militant activities and maintain regional stability. The 22 RR operated under the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Kilo, which functioned under the operational control of XV Corps, also known as ‘Chinar Corps’. Headquartered in Srinagar, XV Corps is responsible for overseeing military operations across the Kashmir Valley, ensuring security and stability in the region. 

On January 25, 2025, military intelligence intercepted credible reports about the presence of hardcore terrorists in the Zaloora Gujjarpati area of Baramulla district. Intelligence inputs suggested that the terrorists were planning a major attack and were heavily armed, posing a significant threat to national security. After analyzing the inputs, senior military commanders made a decisive call to launch a search and destroy operation on January 20, 2025, to eliminate the threat before the militants could execute their plans. Swr Pangala Kartheek was assigned to the strike team, tasked with conducting the high-risk operation. Fully aware of the dangers, he embraced his duty with unwavering determination. As per the plan, Swr Pangala Kartheek and his team reached the Zaloora Gujjarpati area and commenced the search and cordon operation in the Sopore area of Bandipora sector. The operation was meticulously executed, with soldiers strategically positioning themselves to block all possible escape routes. As they moved forward, the troops made contact with the heavily armed terrorists, who immediately opened indiscriminate fire upon being challenged. What ensued was an intense gun battle, with both sides exchanging heavy fire in the dark, rugged terrain.

Displaying exceptional courage Swr Pangala Kartheek led from the front, engaging the militants at close quarters. Despite the treacherous conditions and heavy retaliatory fire, he advanced tactically, ensuring the militants were pinned down and unable to escape. However, during the fierce exchange of fire, Swr Pangala Kartheek sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being seriously injured, he continued engaging the terrorists, displaying extraordinary valour and selflessness. He fought until the last moment, ensuring the operation was successfully executed and the militants neutralized. As a result of his supreme sacrifice, a major terrorist threat was averted, safeguarding countless lives. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his injuries, Swr Pangala Kartheek succumbed to his wounds, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty at the age of 28 years. 

Swr Pangala Kartheek is survived by his father, Shri Varadarajulu, his mother, Smt Selvi, and his elder brother, Shri Rajesh.