Surender, SM

Biography

Sepoy Surender hailed from Bhiwani in Haryana and served with the 17 Jat Battalion of the Jat Regiment, a unit celebrated for its courage and distinguished record in the Indian Army. Raised amid values of discipline, resilience and patriotism, he joined the armed forces out of a deep commitment to serve his country, and earned the respect of his comrades through his dedication to duty. During 1999, his battalion was deployed along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir when the Indian Army detected large-scale infiltration in the Kargil sector. Inducted into the Mushkoh Valley on 22 May 1999, the 17 Jat Battalion was tasked with the capture of Point 4875, a dominating feature overlooking the National Highway. In the assault on the Pimple II complex launched on the night of 6 July 1999, the enemy held several fortified bunkers armed with automatic machine guns. Fighting with admirable courage, Sepoy Surender and his fellow soldiers pressed the assault to clear the enemy positions. During the action he was struck by enemy fire and soon succumbed to his injuries. For his conspicuous courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Sena Medal.