Sumer Singh Rathore, SM

Biography

Subedar Sumer Singh Rathore served with 2 Rajputana Rifles. 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. When the battalion launched its assault on Tololing Top at 2030 hours on 12 June 1999, the leading 'Charlie' Company was commanded by Major Vivek Gupta. Subedar Sumer Singh Rathore was part of this company. Despite heavy artillery and automatic fire, the men closed in on the enemy across open ground at nearly 15,000 feet. Serving as the mortar fire controller for Charlie Company, he saw his platoon commander fall wounded and Major Vivek Gupta heavily engaged with a depleted party. Taking charge of a section, he led it from a flank and brought heavy, accurate fire on the enemy. Hit in the abdomen, he continued firing and, encouraging his men, assaulted an enemy bunker and destroyed it with grenades before succumbing to his wounds. This act, well beyond the call of duty, helped the company advance and capture the enemy strongholds. For his gallantry and supreme sacrifice he was awarded the Sena Medal (Posthumous).