Subedar Nopa Ram KC

Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar was born on June 24, 1951, in the tranquil village of Bhuma Bada, located in the Laxmangarh tehsil of Sikar district, Rajasthan. He was the son of Shri Hunta Ram Khichar and Smt Anchi Devi, who instilled in him values of discipline, resilience, and an unwavering sense of duty. Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar grew up under the guidance of his elder brothers, Shri Ishwar Ram, Shri Natthu Singh, and Shri Rameshwar Lal, in an environment where stories of bravery and heroism were a part of daily life. These tales of valour deeply influenced him, shaping his fearless, determined, and hardworking nature from an early age. Subedar Nopa Ram's upbringing fostered a strong sense of resilience and courage, traits that became defining aspects of his character as he pursued his dream of serving the nation.

On his 17th birthday, June 24, 1968, he took a significant step toward fulfilling this aspiration by joining the Indian Army. He was recruited into the esteemed Jat Regiment, a unit renowned for its exceptional courage and valor. Following rigorous training that honed his skills and fortified his resolve, he was recruited as a sepoy into the 18 Jat Battalion, marking the beginning of an illustrious military career. After a few years of service, he married Ms. Sarasvati Devi, and together they built a loving family. The couple was blessed with a son, Omprakash Khichar, and five daughters, Sumitra, Santosh, Munni, Saroj, and Priyanka.

Throughout his distinguished service, Subedar Nopa Ram demonstrated exceptional commitment and bravery in some of the most challenging and high-stakes operations. He played a pivotal role in counter-insurgency missions in Northeast India, where his tactical acumen and steadfast resolve were instrumental in navigating volatile terrains. His contributions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War were marked by remarkable courage and dedication, further solidifying his reputation as a fearless soldier. Subedar Nopa Ram also actively participated in significant military campaigns such as Operation Battle Axe and Operation Javelin, where he showcased exemplary leadership and operational expertise. In addition, his efforts in counter-terrorism operations, including Operation Rakshak in the insurgency-prone regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, earned him immense respect from his peers and superiors.

Counter Insurgency Operation: 12 Feb 1991

In February 1991, Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar’s battalion, the 18 Jat was deployed in Punjab, a region grappling with active militancy at the time. The late 1980s and early 1990s were marked by a period of significant unrest in Punjab due to heightened insurgent activities. This challenging environment demanded heightened vigilance, strategic acumen, and unwavering courage from the armed forces. The deployment of the 18 Jat Battalion in Punjab placed Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar and his comrades on the frontlines of counter-insurgency operations. Their primary objective was to restore peace and stability in the region by tackling insurgent threats and protecting the civilian population. The volatile situation required the soldiers to operate under constant threat, facing the possibility of ambushes and surprise attacks.

On February 12, 1991, the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the 18 Jat Battalion was patrolling near Megha Nala in Malliyan village of Amritsar district. Subedar Nopa Ram was part of this patrol. The team spotted a suspicious individual leaving a farmhouse. The commander quickly devised a plan to apprehend the suspect. The team was divided into three groups, with two advancing toward both ends of the nala (drain) to encircle the suspect. The third group, led by Subedar Nopa Ram, pursued the suspect. The area was dense with sugarcane crops, eucalyptus trees, and thick vegetation, providing ample cover for the suspect. Realizing he was cornered, the suspect opened fire with an AK-47 rifle. Subedar Nopa Ram's team refrained from retaliatory fire and closed the gap.

Due to his agility, Subedar Nopa Ram reduced the distance between himself and the suspect to just 10 meters. Determined to capture him alive, Subedar Nopa Ram fired, injuring the terrorist. In retaliation, the suspect fired back, wounding Subedar Nopa Ram. Realizing his magazine was empty, Subedar Nopa Ram chose not to reload and instead lunged at the terrorist, grabbing the barrel of his AK-47. Despite being gravely injured, Subedar Nopa Ram displayed remarkable resolve, holding onto the terrorist while losing blood rapidly. The terrorist attempted to drag him away, but by then, the second group arrived and neutralized the terrorist. The assailant was identified as Shravan Singh Mata, a self-proclaimed area commander of the Khalistan Commando Force. An AK-47 rifle, a large cache of ammunition, and documents related to the Khalistan Commando Force were recovered from him. Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar succumbed to his injuries, but not before displaying extraordinary courage and selflessness in the line of duty. His exceptional bravery, unwavering determination, and supreme sacrifice earned him the posthumous honour of the "Kirti Chakra", one of the nation’s highest gallantry awards.

Subedar Nopa Ram Khichar is survived by his wife, Smt Sarasvati Devi, son, Shri Omprakash Khichar, and five daughters, Sumitra, Santosh, Munni, Saroj, and Priyanka.

• In 1996, the state government honoured his memory by renaming the village school as Shaheed Nopa Ram Government Secondary School in  Bhuma Bada village in Sikar district of Rajasthan.