Rishubh Sharma

Biography

Lt Col Rishubh Sharma was born on 3 July 1984 in Faridabad, Haryana, the son of Dr Rajendra Sharma and Smt Shaila Devi. He joined the Indian Army through the Technical Entry Scheme in 2002 and was commissioned in December 2006 into the Regiment of Artillery. Drawn to flying, he volunteered for the Army Aviation Corps and earned his pilot wings in November 2010. Over the course of his career he served with several helicopter squadrons, flying the Cheetah, the HAL Rudra and the Dhruv (ALH). A skilled and experienced aviator, he was promoted to Lt Col in December 2019 and appointed Flight Commander of the 254 Army Aviation Squadron. On 25 January 2021, Lt Col Sharma was piloting a Dhruv helicopter on an operational mission near Lakhanpur in Jammu & Kashmir when the aircraft developed a technical snag. While attempting an emergency landing the helicopter struck high-tension electrical wires and crashed. Grievously injured, he was evacuated to the Military Hospital at Pathankot, where he succumbed to his injuries at the age of 36. A dedicated officer and a fine pilot, Lt Col Rishubh Sharma laid down his life in the service of the nation. His courage and devotion to duty remain an abiding inspiration.