Dilwar Khan, KC

Biography

Naik Dilwar Khan hailed from Gharwasda village in the Bangana tehsil of Una district, Himachal Pradesh. Born in March 1996 to Shri Karamdeen and Smt Bholan Bibi, he displayed a deep sense of patriotism and a strong inclination toward military service from an early age. Inspired by the valour of the Indian Army, he pursued his dream with unwavering determination and, after completing his school education, enlisted in the Indian Army on 20 December 2014 at the age of eighteen. His dedication and resilience earned him a place in the Regiment of Artillery, a vital combat support arm known for its formidable firepower. After serving for several years with his parent regiment, Naik Dilwar Khan was selected for deputation to the 28 Rashtriya Rifles, a specialised counter-insurgency battalion deployed in Jammu and Kashmir under Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Kilo. His posting placed him at the forefront of counter-terrorism operations in the volatile Kupwara district, where frequent infiltration and ceasefire violations near the Line of Control kept the situation tense. On the night of 23 July 2024, Naik Dilwar Khan was leading an ambush in the dense jungles of the Lolab Valley in Kupwara district. At around 2350 hours, his party detected two heavily armed terrorists, one at extremely close range. As the team engaged, the terrorist charged towards them, firing indiscriminately. Displaying complete disregard for his personal safety, Naik Dilwar Khan lunged forward under heavy fire and grasped the assailant in fierce hand-to-hand combat, while the second terrorist fired relentlessly from a distance. Though grievously injured, he refused to release his grip and killed the terrorist by firing at point-blank range before succumbing to his wounds. For his indomitable courage and gallantry of the highest order, Naik Dilwar Khan was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra.