Lt Cdr Mritunjay Kumar was deployed for OP RAKSHAK at J&K from 23 Mar 21 to 03 Oct 21. The officer displayed selfless individual valor and personal example during OP SHOKBABA FOREST (2021) which resulted in the successful elimination of terrorists and saved the life of a jawan.
Operation Shokbaba Forest
OP SHOKBABA FOREST (2021) was a joint Search and Destroy Operation (SADO) launched by 14RR Bn (GARH RIF) from 23 Jul 21 to 27 Jul 21 based on intelligence shared by JK Police regarding the presence of terrorists in Shok Baba Forest in Kashmir. At 2300H on 23 Jul 21, an outer cordon was established. Lt Cdr Mritunjay Kumar led the MARCOS team for SADO in the challenging dense mountainous forest terrain.
At 0710 Hr on 24 Jul 21, two terrorists hiding near a boulder opened indiscriminate fire on the search team wherein RFN Pradeep Singh sustained multiple Gun Shot Wounds (GSW). Whilst terrorists were pinned down by a heavy volume of retaliatory fire by the joint team including MARCOS, the officer noticed two other terrorists escaping uphill. Though the officer was in an extremely disadvantageous downhill position, he selflessly went beyond the call of his duty in discreetly tracking these terrorists and passing live position to the Control for readjustment of uphill stops.
The valiant pursuit and precise tracking by the officer in an extremely treacherous terrain regardless of his tactically disadvantageous position and personal safety resulted in the subsequent neutralization of both terrorists by the readjusted uphill stops. After this, Lt Cdr Mritunjay Kumar regrouped with a joint team at the initial contact site where engagement with terrorists was still in progress. He conducted hot extraction of REN Pradeep Singh downhill to the MARCOS evacuation team and administered IC Fluids and compression bandage en route. This timely hot extraction and Field Trauma Management were critical in the successful recovery of RFN Pradeep Singh.
Thereafter the officer once again regrouped with the team at the initial contact site and tactically maneuvered himself into an uphill position in the direct line of sight of hiding terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, terrorists lobbed grenades towards the officer however he maintained tactical cover and directed accurate gunfire from other positions onto the terrorists. This resulted in neutralization of one terrorist by their own troops. Whilst army troops approached the boulder to confirm the status of neutralized terrorists, the second terrorist opened fire on them.
Lt Cdr Mritunjay Kumar observed that readjusted position of the second terrorist placed his own approaching teams in a precarious position. With utter disregard for his personal safety, the officer broke cover and unleashed a heavy volume of aimed fire to subdue the terrorist whilst closing his position with a BP shield. This effectively stopped the firing of the terrorist. Thereafter, own teams were repositioned and a thorough search was conducted. The body of neutralized terrorists with War like Stores was recovered and a blood trial of the second terrorist was observed. The second terrorist was found dead in the general area of Shok Baba forest two days later having succumbed to GSW.
In keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Navy, Lt Cdr Mritunjay Kumar went beyond the call of his duty during OP SHOKBABA FOREST (2021) displaying rare courage, personal example, and selfless daring for which he is awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
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