Mohit Sharma (soldier)

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Major

Mohit Sharma

AC SM
Maj. Mohit Sharma (1 Para SF) (cropped).jpg
Born(1978-01-13)13 January 1978
Rohtak, Haryana, India
Died21 March 2009(2009-03-21) (aged 31)
Haphruda Forest, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, India
AllegianceIndia India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1999–2009
RankMajor of the Indian Army.svg Major
Service numberIC-59066[1]
UnitBalidaan Insignia (India).svg 1 Para (SF)
Awards
Alma materNational Defence Academy
Indian Military Academy

Major Mohit Sharma AC SM[2] (13 January 1978 – 21 March 2009) was an Indian Army Officer who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace-time military decoration. Maj Sharma was from the elite 1st Para SF.[3]

On 21 March 2009, he engaged in an encounter with terrorists in the Hafruda forest of the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He killed four terrorists and rescued two teammates in the process, but sustained multiple gunshot wounds. For this act, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, which is the highest peace time military decoration in India.[4] He was awarded two gallantry decorations earlier in his career. The first was the COAS Commendation card for exemplary counter-terrorism duties during Operation Rakshak, which was followed by a Sena Medal for gallantry after a covert operation in 2005.[3][5][6][7]

In 2019, Delhi Metro Corporation renamed the Rajendra Nagar metro station as "Major Mohit Sharma (Rajendra Nagar) metro station".[8]

Early life and education[edit]

Mohit was born on 13 January 1978 in Rohtak, Haryana in a Hindu Brahmin family.[9] He was very naughty since childhood.[10] His nickname in family was "Chintu" while his NDA batch mates call him "Mike". He completed his 12th schooling from DPS Ghaziabad in 1995 after which he appeared for his NDA Exam.[clarification needed] At the same time he got admission to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon, Maharashtra, during which he cleared the SSB exam and joined the National Defence Academy (NDA).[11]

Military career[edit]

In 1995, Sharma left Engineering and joined NDA to pursue his dream. In his training, he proved his expertise in swimming, boxing and horse riding. His favourite horse was "Indira". Sharma became the champion of horse riding. He was also a winner in Boxing under the featherweight category.

Mohit Sharma joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in 1998. In IMA, he was awarded the rank of Battalion Cadet Adjutant. He got a chance to meet the then President of India K. R. Narayanan at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 1999.[12]

His first posting was Hyderabad in the 5th Battalion The Madras Regiment (5 Madras). On completing three successful years of Military service, Major Mohit opted for the Para (Special Forces) and he became a trained Para Commando in June 2003, followed by promotion to captain on 11 December.[13] Before getting in 1 Para (SF), he served with the 38 Rashtriya Rifles. He was then posted in Kashmir where he showed his leadership and bravery. Promoted as major on 11 December 2005,[14] he was awarded with the Sena Medal for his bravery. During the third posting, he was given the responsibility to train the Commandos in Belgaum where he instructed for two years. Mohit Sharma was then again moved to Kashmir where he attained martyrdom in 2009.[15]

Ashoka Chakra[edit]

Sharma's widow, Maj Rishima Sharma receiving the Ashok Chakra.

For the supreme sacrifice made by Major Mohit Sharma during Kupwara operation, he was awarded with the nation's highest peace time gallantry award 'Ashok Chakra' on January 26, 2010.

CITATION

MOHIT SHARMA

1 PARA (SF)

Major Mohit Sharma, SM was leading Bravo Assault Team in operations in Kupwara District of North Kashmir. A valiant warrior, he excelled in the art of fighting guerrillas in jungle terrain having earlier spent four years in Jammu & Kashmir. On 21 March 2009, after receiving information of presence of some infiltrating terrorists in dense Haphruda Forest, he planned meticulously and led his commandos in tracking them. On observing suspicious movement, he alerted his scouts but terrorists fired from three directions indiscriminately. In the heavy exchange of fire, four commandos were wounded immediately. With complete disregard to his safety, he crawled and recovered two soldiers to safety. Unmindful of the overwhelming fire, he threw grenades and killed two terrorists but was shot in the chest. In the brief respite that followed, he kept directing his commandos, in spite of serious injuries. Sensing further danger to his comrades, he charged in a daring close quarter combat killing two more terrorists and attained martyrdom fighting for his motherland in the finest traditions of Indian Army.

For this act of conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional courage far beyond call of duty, Major Mohit Sharma, SM was awarded ‘Ashok Chakra’ (Posthumous) on 15 Aug 09.

— Gazette of India Notification, [16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Mohit Sharma, SM". Archived from the original on 2018-03-22. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "List of Ashoka Chakra Awardees". Indian Army.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bravehearts all: Mohit Sharma, Sreeram Kumar get Ashoka Chakras". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2015-12-21. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Ashok Chakra for Mohit Sharma, Sreeram Kumar". The Hindu. August 15, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Battle for 'respect': In-laws, parents fight over martyr's memory - Indian Express". Archive.indianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to the Parachute Regiment". Archived from the original on 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  7. ↑ "Biography of Major Mohit Sharma". Archived from the original on 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Delhi Metro Red Line: Two metro stations on Dilshad Garden-New Bus Adda corridor to be renamed; here's why". Financialexpress.com. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  9. ↑ (PDF) https://indiancc.mygov.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/mygov-999999999711364041.pdf. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Major Mohit Sharma Biography, Wife, Iftikhar, Birthday, Age, Family & More". BiographyFlix: Biography | Celebrity Biography | Famous People. BiographyFlix. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  11. ↑ Team, Editorial (2018-03-26). "Inspiring Story of Major moohit Sharma - 1st PARA (Special Forces)". SSBToSuccess. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  12. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 2 December 2000. p. 1650.
  13. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 31 July 2004. p. 1055.
  14. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 29 April 2006. p. 602.
  15. ↑ "Major Mohit Sharma AC SM - Honourpoint". Honourpoint. Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  16. ↑ Honourpoint | Major Mohit Sharma AC SM, archived from the original on 2018-03-27, retrieved 2018-03-26

External link[edit]

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