Mohit Sharma (soldier)
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Major Mohit Sharma, born January 13, 1978, a name etched in the annals of courage. He was an Indian Army Officer, a warrior from the elite 1st Para SF, who made the ultimate sacrifice on March 21, 2009. Posthumously, he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace-time military decoration.
On that fateful day in the Hafruda forest of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara sector, Major Sharma faced terrorists head-on. In a fierce encounter, he single-handedly eliminated four terrorists and bravely rescued two of his comrades. Though he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, his valor in that moment was undeniable. This act of supreme bravery earned him the Ashoka Chakra. His distinguished career was already marked by two earlier gallantry decorations: the COAS Commendation card for exemplary counter-terrorism duties and a Sena Medal for his courage in a covert operation in 2005.
In recognition of his unwavering spirit, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in 2019 renamed the Rajendra Nagar metro station in Ghaziabad to Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar metro station, a lasting tribute.
Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Mohit Sharma hailed from a loving Hindu family. His roots lay in Village Rasna, Meerut. Known as "Chintu" to his family and "Mike" to his NDA batchmates, his journey towards service began after completing his schooling at Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad. He pursued his dream with unwavering dedication, joining the National Defence Academy in December 1995.
At the NDA, Sharma excelled, showcasing his prowess in swimming, boxing, and horse riding, even becoming a champion rider with his favorite horse, "Indira." He also clinched victory in the featherweight boxing category.
In 1998, he joined the Indian Military Academy, where he served as Battalion Cadet Adjutant and had the honor of meeting the President of India. Commissioned as a lieutenant in December 1999, his first posting was with the 5th Battalion The Madras Regiment. He later served with 38 RR Rashtriya Rifles, earning the Chief of Army Staff Commendation.
Driven by a desire to serve in the toughest conditions, Major Mohit opted for the Para Special Forces in December 2002, becoming a trained Para Commando in June 2003. Promoted to Major on December 11, 2005, he was awarded the Sena Medal for his bravery during an operation in March 2004. He then served as an instructor at Belgaum, honing the skills of future commandos for two years. In 2008, his path led him to Kashmir, where he ultimately attained martyrdom in 2009.
For his supreme sacrifice in the Kupwara operation, Major Mohit Sharma was posthumously awarded the nation's highest peace-time gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, on January 26, 2010. His legacy lives on, a beacon of courage and selfless service.
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Major Mohit Sharma (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. Sharma was from the elite 1st Para SF.
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. 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.
In 2019, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation renamed the Rajendra Nagar metro station in Ghaziabad as Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar metro station.
== Early life and education ==
Mohit was born on January 13, 1978, in Rohtak, Haryana, into a Hindu family.
His family basically belongs to Village Rasna of district Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. His father's name is Rajendra Prasad Sharma and mother's name is Sushila Sharma. He was the second born of the Sharma family. His nickname in family was "Chintu" while his NDA batch mates called him "Mike". He completed his 12th schooling from Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad in 1995 after which he appeared for NDA Exam. At the same time he got admitted to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon, Maharashtra, during which he passed the SSB interview from Bhopal and joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in December 1995.
== Military career ==
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 favorite 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 appointed 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.
His first posting was Hyderabad in the 5th Battalion The Madras Regiment (5 Madras). On completing three successful years of Military service. He even served in 38 RR Rashtriya Rifles where he was given Chief of Army staff Commendation. Major Mohit opted for the Para (Special Forces) in December 2002 and he became a trained Para Commando in June 2003 after successfully completing the Probation. He was Promoted as major on 11 December 2005, He was awarded with the Sena Medal for his bravery for an operation he did in March 2004. He was posted as Instructor at Belgaum and was given the responsibility to train the Commandos in Belgaum where he instructed for two years. Mohit Sharma then moved in 2008 to Kashmir where he attained martyrdom in 2009.
== Ashoka 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 26 January 2010.
== Awards and decorations ==
== See also ==
Sanjog Chhetri
Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar metro station
== References ==
== External links ==
Major Mohit Sharma Biography
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