Devaraj Sharma, SM

Biography

Naik Devaraj Sharma hailed from Bhulle Chak village in the Ranbir Singh Pora Tehsil of Jammu district, Jammu & Kashmir. He joined the Army on 21 December 1996 and was recruited into the 18 Grenadiers Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its intrepid soldiers and many battle honours. During 1999, 18 Grenadiers was deployed along the Line of Control in the Drass sector during the Kargil War. As part of Operation Vijay, the battalion, known as the 'Pole Star Battalion', was tasked with capturing the strategically dominating Tiger Hill complex, from where enemy artillery threatened National Highway 1A. The attack commenced on 3 July 1999. On the night of 4/5 July 1999, Naik Devaraj Sharma's section, under Section Commander Havildar Madan Lal, was assigned to capture the eastern flank of Tiger Hill. Despite severe obstacles, his team established a fire support base and, at an altitude of 16,500 feet, scaled the summit using mountaineering equipment under precise enemy fire, reaching the top after a gruelling six-hour climb. This daring assault from an unexpected direction disoriented the enemy and forced them to retreat. During the intense firefight, Naik Devaraj Sharma was critically wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. He was awarded the Sena Medal for his remarkable gallantry, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.