Bijendra Singh Dourata

Biography

Sepoy Bijendra Singh Dourata hailed from Singhana village in Buhana Tehsil of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. The son of Shri Ram Ji Lal and Smt Dholi Devi, he grew up inspired by the strong tradition of military service that runs deep in the Jhunjhunu region. From childhood he dreamed of wearing the uniform, and he pursued that ambition with determination, joining the Army in 2018 after completing his school education. He was recruited into the Rajput Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers and distinguished battle record, and after completing his training he grew into a dedicated and professionally competent soldier. Later in his career he was deputed to the 10 Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. By 2024 he had completed about six years of service and had gained considerable experience in numerous operations. His unit operated under the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) and the operational control of the XVI 'White Knight' Corps, covering a vast and challenging area from the Pir Panjal to the Shivalik ranges. On 15 July 2024, acting on intelligence about the presence of hardcore terrorists, the unit joined the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police in a cordon and search operation in the Dhari Gote Urarbagi area of the Desa forest belt, about 55 km from Doda town. In the thickly forested, mountainous terrain the team made contact with the terrorists, who opened fire. Undeterred, Sepoy Bijendra and his comrades pressed the advance to tighten the cordon and pin the militants down. In the fierce exchange of fire that continued into the night amid rain and dense foliage, he sustained severe injuries and succumbed to them, along with three fellow soldiers including their leader Captain Brijesh Thapa. For his courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, Sepoy Bijendra Singh Dourata was awarded the Mention-in-Despatches posthumously on 25 January 2025.