Was awarded Shaurya Chakra for bravely fighting terrorists at Akshardham Temple

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Rajesh had always abided by the advice of his parents in letter and in spirit except once when he was in his late teens. For once he defied his parents and even had his way but only after he had convinced them. Since he was good in academics right from the beginning, his father Dr Puran Chand Sharma wanted him to become a doctor or an engineer or pursue higher education and take up a good white collar job. Rajesh, however, had already chosen the career for himself and spoke his heart: “Papa, naukri hi karni hai to fauj ki karunga aur aise karunga ki aapko apne bête par garv hoga”.

Even his mother Reshma Sharma was not comfortable sending her only son to the Army but the reason she gave, “Beta, hamare khandan mein to fauj mein jaane ka rivaz hi nahi hai” did not convince Rajesh. He spoke most cordially yet confidently, “Mummy, main ye riwaz shuru karna chahta hun”. Realising the patriotic fervour of young Rajesh, the Sharmas happily allowed their only son have his way.

Rajesh was born in Kirori village of Hisar district on February 15, 1975. After senior secondary from Vaish School and graduation from Maharishi Dayanand University, both in Rohtak, he joined the prestigious Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned into 6th Battalion of Rajputana Rifles Infantry Regiment on December 6, 1997. After two years, Rajesh Sharma, as a young Captain, moved to 2nd Rajputana Rifles and was part of this battalion during its outstanding performance in the Kargil War. 

Captain Rajesh Sharma, for his demonstrated courage during the Kargil War, was absorbed in a newly raised Parachute Battalion. After three months of probation and five mandatory parachute jumps, he was permanently seconded to Parachute Regiment as a promising paratrooper. The National Security Guard (NSG), always on the lookout for the daredevils, found one and got Capt Rajesh Sharma posted on its establishment. It is during his challenging deputation with the NSG that Captain Rajesh Sharma exhibited the stuff he was made of when he almost single-handedly flushed out and eliminated two terrorists from the Akshardham Temple complex in Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat). For his daredevil act, Captain Rajesh Sharma was deservedly awarded the Shaurya Chakra. His citation for the award is available with the NSG as well as 23rd Parachute Battalion.

Rajesh, now a Colonel, after successfully commanding a Parachute Battalion in an operational area, is at present serving as Colonel General Staff (Planning) in the headquarters of a field formation.

Colonel Rajesh Sharma, the Shaurya Veer, too, has a son. For the past 21 years, his mother has watched him serve the motherland with pride and honour and is proud of her son. In fact, she is eagerly awaiting for the big day when her grandson too dons the oval greens and carries forward the glorious ‘rivaz’ started by his father.

The account of his bravery in War Diary of 23rd Parachute Battalion reads…

On September 24, 2002, some armed terrorists entered the Akshardham Swamy Narayan Temple complex in Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) and started firing indiscriminately. The terrorists killed 30 people and injured over 100 present in the temple complex. To take stock of the critical situation and eliminate the terrorists, a special action group of the National Security Guard was flown in. Captain Rajesh Sharma, the leader of the action group, was tasked with locating and neutralising the two terrorists reported in the open patch outside the main complex. Despite daunting fire from the terrorists and lack of cover, leading his team from the front, this young officer continued to move forward. With total disregard to personal safety, Captain Sharma maintained pressure on the terrorists and kept them pinned down. He finally pinpointed the terrorists and gave covering fire to Subedar Suresh Chand while he closed in and killed one of the terrorists. Another terrorist inflicted a bullet injury on Captain Sharma’s left shoulder. The injury, however, did not deter this officer from his mission and he continued to press forward. In the final action, Captain Rajesh managed to locate and eliminate the second terrorist also. For his exemplary presence of mind, mature decision making and for displaying gallantry of a high order, Captain Rajesh Sharma was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)