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Sanjay Kumar (soldier)

2022-11-20T15:07:41Z

103.199.202.172: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

{{Short description|Recipient of Param Vir Chakra}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Subedar Major]]
| name = Sanjay Kumar
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]]
| image = Sanjay Kumar PVC.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Then-Havildar Sanjay Kumar, wearing his PVC medal
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|3|3|df=y}}
| death_date =
| birth_place = Kalol Bakain, [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = 
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| branch = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| serviceyears =
| rank =[[File:Subedar Major - Risaldar Major of the Indian Army.svg|25px]] [[Subedar Major]]
| servicenumber = 13760533
| unit = [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|13 JAK RIF]]
| commands =
| battles = [[Kargil War]]
| battles_label =
| awards = [[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]]
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
}}

[[Subedar Major]]<ref name=youtube>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3udo0AgvGY&t=21m30s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/T3udo0AgvGY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=NDTV Video, at 21:37 Sanjay Kumar is shown to be a Naib Subedar |year=2014 |access-date=14 August 2014|work=[[NDTV]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=toi>{{cite news|last1=Sura|first1=Ajay |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/15th-anniversary-of-Kargil-War-becomes-extra-special-for-brave-heart-Sanjay/articleshow/38983145.cms |title=15th anniversary of Kargil War becomes extra special for brave heart Sanjay |year=2014 |access-date=14 August 2014|newspaper=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> '''Sanjay Kumar''' [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]] (born 3 March 1976<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hpbilaspur.gov.in/pvc.htm |title=Param Vir Chakra Winner of Bilaspur (H.P.) |website=Hpbilaspur.gov.in |year=2013 |access-date=18 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228045411/http://hpbilaspur.gov.in/pvc.htm |archivedate=28 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>) is a [[Junior Commissioned Officer]] in the [[Indian Army]], and recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]], [[India]]'s highest [[military]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sanjay-kumar|title=SANJAY KUMAR {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=2017-12-15}}</ref>

==Early life==
Sanjay Kumar was born in village Kalol Bakain in Bilaspur District of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Prior to joining the army, he worked as a taxi driver in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/15th-anniversary-of-Kargil-War-becomes-extra-special-for-brave-heart-Sanjay/articleshow/38983145.cms|title=15th anniversary of Kargil War becomes extra special for brave heart Sanjay - Times of India|author=|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=|publisher=}}</ref> His application was rejected three times before he was finally selected to join the army.

==Military career==
On 4 July 1999, as a member of the 13th Battalion, [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]], he was the leading scout of a team tasked to capturing Area Flat Top, during the [[Kargil War]]. The area was held by [[Pakistan]]i troops. Having scaled the cliff, the team was pinned down by [[machine gun]] fire from an enemy [[bunker]], about 150 meters away.

Kumar, realizing the magnitude of the problem and the detrimental effect this bunker would have in the capture of Area Flat Top, crawled alone up the ledge, along a flank, and charged towards the enemy bunker through a hail of automatic fire. Almost instantly he took two bullets in his chest and forearm that left him bleeding profusely.

Though bleeding from the bullet wounds, he continued the charge towards the bunker. In hand-to-hand fighting, he killed three enemy soldiers. He then picked up an enemy machine gun and crept towards the second enemy bunker. The enemy soldiers, taken completely by surprise, were killed by him as they fled their post. Inspired by his act the rest of the [[platoon]] charged, assaulted the feature and captured Area Flat Top.

In February 2022, he received the rank of [[Subedar Major]] and is posted to the [[National Defence Academy (India) | National Defence Academy]] in Khadakwasla near Pune.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/sanjay-kumar-param-vir-chakra-promoted/20220209.htm|title=Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra, Promoted|first=Rediff News|last=Bureau|website=Rediff.com|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

===Param Vir Chakra===
The [[Param Vir Chakra]] citation on the official [[Indian Army]] website reads as follows:

{{Quotation|
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to capture area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley on 4 July 1999. During the attack when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged at the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed three of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the second bunker. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and started running.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated. The brave action on his part motivated his comrades and they took no notice of the treacherous terrain and charged onto the enemy and wrested the area Flat Top from the hands of the enemy.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the enemy.<ref name=PVC>{{citation|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=NCvnix4zLfQhf90l3OuEBw%3d%3d&ParentID=1tHir3NYQjroCJ9AgypEwg%3d%3d|access-date=28 August 2014|title=The Param Vir Chakra Winners (PVC) |publisher=Official Website of the Indian Army}} "Profile" and "Citation" tabs.</ref>}}

==Awards and decorations==
During his career, he has been awarded with the [[Param Vir Chakra]] ([[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] 1999) for his part in the [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]].
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Medal ribbon.png|105px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Param Vir Chakra]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Wound Medal (Parakram Padak)]]
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea|UNMEE Medal]]
|-
|}

== Controversy==
In 2010 Kumar was demoted from the rank of [[Havildar]] to [[Lance Naik]].<ref name=MidDay>{{cite web |url= http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2010/jan/270110-sanjay-kumar-kargil-hero-demoted.htm |title=Double demotion for Kargil hero |first=Anshuman G. |last=Dutta |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> The army refused to cite any reasons for his demotion. Moreover, the army concealed the facts and by continuing to refer to him as Havildar in press releases. Recipients of the Param-Vir Chakra are saluted irrespective of rank, which is alleged to be the bone of contention between Kumar and senior officers.<ref name=MidDay/>

Kumar was offered a job by the Himachal Pradesh Government and may accept this offer after completing his 15 years of service (for receiving post-retirement benefits) in the army.<ref name=MidDay/>

On 2 July 2014, Kumar became a [[Junior Commissioned Officer]] (JCO) of the Indian Army, with his promotion to [[Subedar-major|Naib Subedar]]. While the promotion of Kumar had once become an issue in the Army after he was allegedly demoted to the rank of [[Lance Naik]] from the rank of [[Havildar]] in 2008, the issue was later buried with the intervention of higher authorities. It was also stated that there are no out-of-turn promotions for recipients of gallantry awards in the Army and they are promoted as per their seniority with their fellow soldiers in the unit.<ref name=youtube/><ref name=toi/>

He was promoted to the rank of [[Subedar Major]] in February 2022.<ref name="auto"/>

==In popular culture==
Kumar's story along with others who were part of the same conflict was portrayed in the film ''[[LOC Kargil]]'', in which his character was played by famous Bollywood actor [[Sunil Shetty]].

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation|first1=Major General Ian (retd.)|last1=Cardozo|title=Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle|year=2003|publisher=Roli Books|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7436-262-9|language=English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D9ymBAAAQBAJ}}
{{refend}}
{{Param Vir Chakra recipients}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Sanjay}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian taxi drivers]]

Sanjay Kumar (soldier)

2022-11-20T15:07:41Z

103.199.202.172: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

{{Short description|Recipient of Param Vir Chakra}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Subedar Major]]
| name = Sanjay Kumar
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]]
| image = Sanjay Kumar PVC.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Then-Havildar Sanjay Kumar, wearing his PVC medal
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|3|3|df=y}}
| death_date =
| birth_place = Kalol Bakain, [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = 
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| branch = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| serviceyears =
| rank =[[File:Subedar Major - Risaldar Major of the Indian Army.svg|25px]] [[Subedar Major]]
| servicenumber = 13760533
| unit = [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|13 JAK RIF]]
| commands =
| battles = [[Kargil War]]
| battles_label =
| awards = [[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]]
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
}}

[[Subedar Major]]<ref name=youtube>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3udo0AgvGY&t=21m30s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/T3udo0AgvGY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=NDTV Video, at 21:37 Sanjay Kumar is shown to be a Naib Subedar |year=2014 |access-date=14 August 2014|work=[[NDTV]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=toi>{{cite news|last1=Sura|first1=Ajay |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/15th-anniversary-of-Kargil-War-becomes-extra-special-for-brave-heart-Sanjay/articleshow/38983145.cms |title=15th anniversary of Kargil War becomes extra special for brave heart Sanjay |year=2014 |access-date=14 August 2014|newspaper=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> '''Sanjay Kumar''' [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]] (born 3 March 1976<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hpbilaspur.gov.in/pvc.htm |title=Param Vir Chakra Winner of Bilaspur (H.P.) |website=Hpbilaspur.gov.in |year=2013 |access-date=18 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228045411/http://hpbilaspur.gov.in/pvc.htm |archivedate=28 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>) is a [[Junior Commissioned Officer]] in the [[Indian Army]], and recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]], [[India]]'s highest [[military]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sanjay-kumar|title=SANJAY KUMAR {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=2017-12-15}}</ref>

==Early life==
Sanjay Kumar was born in village Kalol Bakain in Bilaspur District of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Prior to joining the army, he worked as a taxi driver in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/15th-anniversary-of-Kargil-War-becomes-extra-special-for-brave-heart-Sanjay/articleshow/38983145.cms|title=15th anniversary of Kargil War becomes extra special for brave heart Sanjay - Times of India|author=|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=|publisher=}}</ref> His application was rejected three times before he was finally selected to join the army.

==Military career==
On 4 July 1999, as a member of the 13th Battalion, [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]], he was the leading scout of a team tasked to capturing Area Flat Top, during the [[Kargil War]]. The area was held by [[Pakistan]]i troops. Having scaled the cliff, the team was pinned down by [[machine gun]] fire from an enemy [[bunker]], about 150 meters away.

Kumar, realizing the magnitude of the problem and the detrimental effect this bunker would have in the capture of Area Flat Top, crawled alone up the ledge, along a flank, and charged towards the enemy bunker through a hail of automatic fire. Almost instantly he took two bullets in his chest and forearm that left him bleeding profusely.

Though bleeding from the bullet wounds, he continued the charge towards the bunker. In hand-to-hand fighting, he killed three enemy soldiers. He then picked up an enemy machine gun and crept towards the second enemy bunker. The enemy soldiers, taken completely by surprise, were killed by him as they fled their post. Inspired by his act the rest of the [[platoon]] charged, assaulted the feature and captured Area Flat Top.

In February 2022, he received the rank of [[Subedar Major]] and is posted to the [[National Defence Academy (India) | National Defence Academy]] in Khadakwasla near Pune.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/sanjay-kumar-param-vir-chakra-promoted/20220209.htm|title=Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra, Promoted|first=Rediff News|last=Bureau|website=Rediff.com|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

===Param Vir Chakra===
The [[Param Vir Chakra]] citation on the official [[Indian Army]] website reads as follows:

{{Quotation|
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to capture area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley on 4 July 1999. During the attack when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged at the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed three of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the second bunker. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and started running.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated. The brave action on his part motivated his comrades and they took no notice of the treacherous terrain and charged onto the enemy and wrested the area Flat Top from the hands of the enemy.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the enemy.<ref name=PVC>{{citation|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=NCvnix4zLfQhf90l3OuEBw%3d%3d&ParentID=1tHir3NYQjroCJ9AgypEwg%3d%3d|access-date=28 August 2014|title=The Param Vir Chakra Winners (PVC) |publisher=Official Website of the Indian Army}} "Profile" and "Citation" tabs.</ref>}}

==Awards and decorations==
During his career, he has been awarded with the [[Param Vir Chakra]] ([[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] 1999) for his part in the [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]].
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Medal ribbon.png|105px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Param Vir Chakra]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Wound Medal (Parakram Padak)]]
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea|UNMEE Medal]]
|-
|}

== Controversy==
In 2010 Kumar was demoted from the rank of [[Havildar]] to [[Lance Naik]].<ref name=MidDay>{{cite web |url= http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2010/jan/270110-sanjay-kumar-kargil-hero-demoted.htm |title=Double demotion for Kargil hero |first=Anshuman G. |last=Dutta |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> The army refused to cite any reasons for his demotion. Moreover, the army concealed the facts and by continuing to refer to him as Havildar in press releases. Recipients of the Param-Vir Chakra are saluted irrespective of rank, which is alleged to be the bone of contention between Kumar and senior officers.<ref name=MidDay/>

Kumar was offered a job by the Himachal Pradesh Government and may accept this offer after completing his 15 years of service (for receiving post-retirement benefits) in the army.<ref name=MidDay/>

On 2 July 2014, Kumar became a [[Junior Commissioned Officer]] (JCO) of the Indian Army, with his promotion to [[Subedar-major|Naib Subedar]]. While the promotion of Kumar had once become an issue in the Army after he was allegedly demoted to the rank of [[Lance Naik]] from the rank of [[Havildar]] in 2008, the issue was later buried with the intervention of higher authorities. It was also stated that there are no out-of-turn promotions for recipients of gallantry awards in the Army and they are promoted as per their seniority with their fellow soldiers in the unit.<ref name=youtube/><ref name=toi/>

He was promoted to the rank of [[Subedar Major]] in February 2022.<ref name="auto"/>

==In popular culture==
Kumar's story along with others who were part of the same conflict was portrayed in the film ''[[LOC Kargil]]'', in which his character was played by famous Bollywood actor [[Sunil Shetty]].

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation|first1=Major General Ian (retd.)|last1=Cardozo|title=Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle|year=2003|publisher=Roli Books|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7436-262-9|language=English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D9ymBAAAQBAJ}}
{{refend}}
{{Param Vir Chakra recipients}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Sanjay}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian taxi drivers]]