Shailesh Kumar, SC

Biography

Second Lieutenant Shailesh Kumar was commissioned into the 10th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, a distinguished infantry regiment. Early in his service career he had the opportunity to take part in active operations, as his unit was deployed to Punjab as part of 'Operation Blue Star'. Following the operation in June 1984, the Indian Army became engaged in counter-terrorism duties across Punjab, where extremist elements had grown highly active. On 10 July 1984, security forces received reliable intelligence about a group of militants sheltering in a village in Amritsar district. Second Lieutenant Shailesh Kumar was ordered to assist his unit's Captain Ravi Vats and, with ten other ranks, to move in and flush out the extremists. Reaching the village within minutes, he climbed onto the roof of a house, only to come under heavy fire from the residence of Jathedar Mohan Singh. Though gravely wounded, he pressed on to the parapet and fired a Sten burst at the target, then continued directing controlled fire from different directions while taking care to avoid civilian casualties. He succumbed to his injuries during the action, laying down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. For his exceptional courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.