The Valor of Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra Recipient

INTRODUCTION

Subedar Sanjay Kumar is an Indian Army soldier and recipient of the Param Vir Chakra- India's highest gallantry award. He was only 23-years-old during the Kargil War and is one of the only serving awardees in the Indian Army.

Durga Ram and Bhag Devi gave birth to Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (then a Rifleman), a native of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, on March 3, 1976. He migrated to Delhi after finishing his education in Bilaspur. He enlisted in the Indian Army on June 26, 1996, and was assigned to the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF). He received the Param Vir Chakra for his efforts as the attacking column's main scout at Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley. He received a promotion to Subedar Major in February 2022.

STORY OF HEROISM

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was one of the top scouts assigned to take control of Flat Top of Point 4875 in Mushkoh Valley on July 4, 1999. By shooting from one of the sangars, the enemy interfered with the column's advance. As he charged towards the enemy, Rifleman Kumar showed eminent bravery while showing no regard for his own safety. He engaged the enemy in actual fight after that and killed three enemy soldiers. Despite suffering severe injuries, he persisted in attacking the second sangar. The enemy was caught off guard by the onslaught, and they retreated, leaving one universal machine gun behind (UMG). He took out the UMG and fired at the escaping enemy troops.

He was bleeding to death, yet he insisted on charging the enemy despite being evacuated. Despite the challenges of fighting in dangerous terrain, our men were successful in capturing the region of Flat Top from the enemy thanks to his heroic deed and endurance.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar's tale of unbridled courage and unwavering dedication to duty, in which he showed the highest level of bravery in the face of the enemy, has served as an inspiration to many.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Gandhi, S.S. Portraits of Valour: India's Highest Gallantry Awards and Their Recipients. The Defence Review. (Ed 2006).
2. Kargil Vijay Diwas 2019: The Story of Param Vir Chakra Awardee Sanjay Kumar (news18.com) (Accessed on 25 May 2022) https://www.news18.com/news/india/kargil-vijay-diwas-2019-the-story-of-param-vir-chakra-awardeesanjay-kumar-2246717.html
3. Capture of crucial Point-4875 important objective: Goswami, (earlytimes.in) (Accessed on 25 May 2022) http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=154556
4. Exclusive Interview of PVC Sanjay Kumar, (Source: Bharat Tak) (Accessed on 15 May 2022) https://youtu.be/q2vsKUEwaE0