Khairnar Milind Kishore, SC

Biography

Sergeant Khairnar Milind Kishore was born on 17 February 1984 in Sakri village, Nashik district, Maharashtra. He joined the Indian Air Force in 2002 and was later selected to be part of the elite Garud Commando Force, the IAF's special operations unit raised in 2004 to provide specialised military capability, including the protection of air bases. From early 2017 he was undergoing advanced training with the Army for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir, serving with the 617 Garud Flight. On 11 October 2017, intelligence reported the presence of militants in the Hajin area of Bandipora district. A joint operation was launched by 13 Rashtriya Rifles and a 14-member Garud team, of which Sergeant Kishore was part. The combined force cordoned off a house in Hajin village in the early hours. When challenged, the trapped militants hurled grenades and broke out firing indiscriminately. The Garud commandos confronted two militants rushing towards them and gunned both down. During the intense exchange of fire, Sergeant Khairnar Milind Kishore was hit by several bullets and attained martyrdom. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his gallantry.