Mithilesh Pathak

Biography

Naik Mithilesh Pathak hailed from Dharamshala village in the Gaya district of Bihar. He joined the Army after his initial schooling and was recruited into the Bihar Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers and its many battle honours. After serving for some years with his parent unit, he was deputed to 4 Rashtriya Rifles, deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. By 1999, he had put in a substantial number of years of service and had risen to the rank of Naik. During August 1999, Naik Mithilesh Pathak was serving with the 4 RR battalion deployed in the Kupwara district of J&K. Although the Kargil War had ended on 26 July 1999, the situation along the Line of Control remained tense, and troops were on alert for any eventuality. With a substantial number of army personnel deployed at Anantnag for the security cover of the Amarnath Yatra, and Kupwara town left under the CRPF, militants saw an opportune moment to strike the Army camp. In a pre-planned move at around 1:15 am on 6 August 1999, a group of heavily armed militants assaulted the 4 RR camp at village Chak Nutnusa. Company Commander Captain Mandeep Singh and his troops, including Naik Mithilesh Pathak, swung into action and launched a counter-attack. Despite the surprise nature of the assault, Naik Pathak and his comrades rose to the occasion and effectively engaged the attackers. During the heavy exchange of fire he sustained gunshot wounds and was severely injured, soon succumbing to them. Three other soldiers of the battalion, including Captain Mandeep Singh, also made the supreme sacrifice that day. A gallant and dedicated soldier, Naik Mithilesh Pathak laid down his life in the service of the nation.