Sita Ram Kumawat

Biography

Grenadier Sita Ram Kumawat served with the 18 Grenadiers, one of the Indian Army's most decorated infantry battalions. During Operation Vijay in the summer of 1999, the 56 Mountain Brigade was tasked with recapturing the dominating heights of Tololing in the Drass sector, which Pakistani intruders had occupied to threaten the vital Srinagar-Leh highway. The plan called for 2 Rajputana Rifles to assault Tololing Top while 18 Grenadiers provided a firm base. After Tololing Top was taken, the 18 Grenadiers, together with 18 Garhwal Rifles, were tasked with capturing the adjoining 'Hump' feature on the night of 13/14 June 1999. Grenadier Sita Ram Kumawat was part of the assaulting team. Advancing under heavy artillery and small-arms fire over steep, fortified slopes, he and his comrades pressed home the attack and neutralised enemy resistance, securing part of the Hump by morning. In the course of this fierce engagement Grenadier Sita Ram Kumawat was grievously wounded by intense enemy fire and laid down his life at the age of 24. The Hump was captured by noon on 14 June 1999, paving the way for the recapture of Point 4590. He is remembered with deep respect for his courage and unflinching devotion to duty.