Subedar Dharmesh Sangwan

Sub Dharmesh Sangwan hailed from Kheri Batter village of Chakri Dadri tehsil in the Bhiwani district of Haryana and was born on 29th Dec 1980.  He was recruited into 8 Raj Rif of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an Infantry regiment with a long history of gallantry and battle honours. Besides learning the fieldcraft skills as a soldier, he developed into an accomplished rower of National repute.

Sub Sangwan was regarded as one of the first stars of Indian rowing for his path-breaking performances at continental events and unparalleled dominance on the domestic circuit. He won gold medals in two different categories at the 2005 Asian Championships in Hyderabad. Also, his silver in four coxless categories at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha was India’s first rowing silver. Later Sub Sangwan was deputed to serve with the UN Peacekeeping force as part of the Indian contingent. He was deployed in South Sudan as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

UNMISS Operation: 19 Dec 2013

In Dec 2013, Sub Sangwan was serving as part of the UN Peace-Keeping Force deployed in South Sudan in Africa. The UN Force deployed at Akoba in South Sudan, which was divided into ethnic lines and often witnessed clashes between two tribal communities, Dinka and Lou Neur. On 19 Dec 2013, the violence began when a group of 36 individuals from the Dinka tribe sought protection in the temporary base, which was being manned by Indian Battalion, a part of the UN Peace Force. Their opponents from the Lou Neur community came looking for the Dinka community members. Sensing trouble in that area a day back, the battalion had sought reinforcement of the temporary post. Even though the base had a strength of one officer, 5 junior commissioned officers, and 30 soldiers, the officer, and six soldiers took off in a helicopter at 1830 hours to reach the higher-ups in the command structure to discuss reinforcement.

In the absence of the BMP, the temporary operational base was attacked by a group of 1,500-2,000 people, some of them carrying weapons to target the Dinkas inside the camp. They forcibly entered the camp and fired at the Dinkas. As the Indian contingent was duty-bound to protect Dinkas, the Indian soldiers swung into action to carry out their duty. A gun battle followed thereafter amid chaotic circumstances. However, during the exchange of fire Sub Dharmesh Sangwan and Sub Kumar Pal Singh got seriously injured. They later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred.

Sub Dharmesh Sangwan is survived by his father Shri Rajendra Sangwan, wife, son and daughter.