IT Correspondent,
Mumbai, Feb 9:
The Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Sanjay Kumar of 13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra (PVC), was promoted to the rank of ‘Subedar Major’ on Tuesday.
Sanjay Kumar was promoted to the rank of ‘Subedar Major’ by Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, Commandant, National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune for his continued dedication and devotion to the service. He will be giving leadership training as a instructor to young cadets at NDA.
“ It is a matter of great pride and privilege for NDA to have Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, who was awarded PVC, India’s highest gallantry award, for his selfless commitment and sacrifice in the face of enemy, being posted as Instructor and he will be a role model for the cadets”, Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor said.
Sanjay Kumar, was enrolled as a young rifleman in 13th Battalion of The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. On July 04, 1999, during the “Operation Vijay”, he volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to capture area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley.
The attacking column was stalled by the enemy’s heavy automatic fire from one of the sangars. Realising the gravity of the situation, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 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 sangar. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun(UMG) 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.
Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, will be a source of inspiration and a living example of true military ethos, courage and valour for the future leadership of Indian Armed Forces training at NDA, a Defence spokesman said.
