Major Mohit Sharma was an Indian Army officer who died in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Kupwara district of North Kashmir on March 21, 2009. He was a member of the 1st Paratroopers (SF) unit and was leading the Bravo Commando unit when they were attacked by terrorists.
Wiki/Biography
Major Mohit Sharma was born on Friday, January 13, 1978 (aged 31 at the time of his death) in Rohtak, Haryana. His star sign is Capricorn. Mohit Sharma entered Manavsthali School, Delhi in 1983 and then transferred to Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad in 1988. He completed his schooling in 1995 and then joined the National Defense Academy, Pune to fulfill his dream of serving the country. After completing his bachelor’s degree from the National Defense Academy, Mohit joined the Indian Military Academy in 1998. Due to his performance at the Indian Military Academy in 1998, he was appointed as the Battalion Cadet Adjutant. He also had the opportunity to meet the then President of India, KR Narayanan, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
appearance
Height (approximate): 6′ 1″
Eye color: Black
Hair color: Black
Family and caste
Parents and siblings
Mohit Sharma’s father’s name is Rajendra Prasad Sharma and his mother’s name is Sushila Sharma. He has an elder brother Madhur Sharma.
Major Mohit Sharma (left) with his parents and his elder brother Madhur Sharma (right)
wife
Mohit Sharma was married to Major Rishima Sharma at the time of his death.
Military career
Mohit Sharma graduated from the Indian Military Academy in 1999 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion of the Madras Regiment, Hyderabad. After three years of service, Mohit decided to train as a Para (Special Forces) Commando and completed his training in June 2003. In December 2003, he was promoted to Captain.
From Mohit Sharma to Iftikhar Bhatt
In 2004, Mohit Sharma was sent to Kashmir for his next assignment where he was given the task of infiltrating the Islamic terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen. Mohit managed to get in touch with two members of the group under the alias Iftikhar Bhatt. In order to make himself look familiar with the locals and the terrorist group, Mohit grew his hair and beard to fit the typical image of a terrorist. After coming in contact with the terrorists, Mohit met two terrorists of the group, Abu Sabzar and Abu Torara, in Chauping, Kashmir Valley. Major Mohit then made up a story to convince the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists of his plan to attack the Indian Army. He told them that he wanted to avenge the death of his brother and he wanted to attack an army check post. He showed them the necessary route map and provided information about the army movement. One of the terrorists was suspicious of Mohit but the two decided to help him execute his plan. After a few days, the terrorist duo returned with grenades, ammunition and three terrorists from a nearby village. On the day of the attack, there was a minor dispute among the terrorists regarding the credibility of Mohit Sharma and he seized the opportunity and shot dead two terrorists with his pistol.
The last battle of life
After completing the mission, Mohit Sharma was promoted to Major in December 2005 and was awarded the Sena Medal for his covert operation in Chaupin, Kashmir. He was then transferred to Belgaum as an instructor to train more paratroopers. In 2008, he was sent back to Kashmir and was killed in a battle with a group of terrorists in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir.
Major Mohit Sharma patrols in Jammu and Kashmir
Ashoka Chakra
On 26 January 2010, the Government of India awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, to Major Mohit Sharma (posthumously). His wife, Major Rishima Sharma, received the award from the President of India, Pratibha Patil. The official announcement of the award is as follows:
Major Mohit Sharma led the Bravo Commando on a mission in the Kupwara sector of North Kashmir. A valiant soldier who had served in Jammu and Kashmir for four years, he was adept at fighting guerrillas in jungle areas. On March 21, 2009, after receiving information that some terrorists had infiltrated the dense Havruda forests, he made a careful plan and led the commandos to track them. After spotting suspicious movements, he alerted the scouts, but the terrorists opened fire indiscriminately from three directions. In the fierce exchange of fire, four commandos were injured on the spot. With complete disregard for his own safety, he crawled forward and rescued two soldiers. Despite the heavy fire, he threw a grenade to kill two terrorists but was shot in the chest. During the short rest period that followed, he continued to lead the commandos despite being seriously injured. Realizing that his comrades were in greater danger, he courageously initiated close combat, killed two more terrorists, and carried on the fine tradition of the Indian Army, fighting and sacrificing for the motherland.
For this extraordinary act of bravery, inspirational leadership and exceptional courage above and beyond the call of duty, Major Mohit Sharma was awarded the Ashok Chakra (posthumously) on 15 August 2009.
Major Mohit Sharma’s wife Major Rishima Sharma receives Ashoka Chakra
die
Mohit Sharma was leading the Bravo commando unit in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. On March 21, 2009, he received information that some terrorists had entered the dense Havruda forest. He decided to track the terrorists and kill them, but the terrorists opened fire on the scouts, injuring four commandos on the spot. Mohit Sharma crawled towards two of his men and brought them to safety, where he threw a grenade at the enemy, killing two terrorists. Mohit Sharma was injured in the fierce exchange of fire, but he decided to fight in close quarters and killed two more terrorists, sacrificing his life for the country.
Facts/Trivia
- Mohit Sharma loves playing guitar.
Major Mohit Sharma plays guitar
- In 2019, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) renamed two stations on the Red Line extension of the metro. The extension connects Dilshad Garden and New Bus Adda stations, which were renamed in memory of the country’s fallen soldiers. According to a statement by DMRC officials –
The Rajendra Nagar metro station has been renamed as Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar station and the terminus New Bus Adda station has been renamed as Shahid Star (New Bus Adda).”
Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar Metro Station Photos
- Drishyam Films and Applause Entertainment have joined hands to produce a film on the life of Ashoka Chakra Awardee Major Mohit Sharma and his experience with the Islamic terrorist group. The poster of the film was released on January 22, 2021 and the film is slated to release in August 2022.
First look stills from the upcoming film Iftikhar
- On January 24, 2021, the singing reality show Indian Idol dedicated the day’s show to the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces. The show also remembered the sacrifice made by Major Mohit Sharma for the country. Mohit Sharma’s brother Madhur Sharma was invited as a guest to participate in the special show.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education