Rajinder Kumar Sharma

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Rajinder Kumar Sharma

KC, SC, SM
Rajinder Kumar Sharma.jpg
Portrait of Col RK Sharma
Born (1965-09-10) 10 September 1965 (age 59)
Jammu and Kashmir, India
AllegianceFlag of India.svg  India
Service / branchFlag of Indian Army.svg  Indian Army
Years of service1985-2022
Rank Colonel of the Indian Army.svg Colonel
Service number SC-00137
Unit 2 Brigade of the Guards
The Grenadiers
32 Assam (on deputation)
Commands 2 Jammu and Kashmir Girls Battalion (NCC Jammu)
Battles / wars Kargil War
Awards Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg Kirti Chakra
Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg Shaurya Chakra
Sena Medal ribbon.svg Sena Medal (Gallantry)

Colonel Rajinder Kumar Sharma, KC, SC, SM (born, 10 September 1965, also known as RK Sharma) is a retired decorated Indian Army officer of the Grenadiers. He is one of the few recipients of both Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra for his exemplary bravery.

Contents

Early life

Rajinder Kumar Sharma was born in Jammu and Kashmir. His family were refugee who came from POK after partition of India. His father was a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir Police and his uncle was in the army with Artillery Regiment. He was motivated by his uncle since childhood so he was keen to join the army. After completing matriculation in 1983, he started preparation for army. He joined Indian Army as Sepoy in 1986 in 2 Brigade of the Guards. He later received a Short Service Commission through Special Service Commission entry and was commissioned into The Grenadiers in 1999 as a Lieutenant.

Military career

Major RK Sharma receiving gallantry award from the then Honorable President of India Srimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil Major RK Sharma receiving gallantry award from the then Honorable President of India.png
Major RK Sharma receiving gallantry award from the then Honorable President of India Srimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil

RK Sharma is one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army. He is known for his courageous actions, bravery and exceptional leadership. He has been part of more than 300 operations in his 37 years of military service.

Sena Medal

In 1993 during an encounter with terrorists, Lance Naik Sharma was struck by terrorist gunfire. Inspite of his wounds, he and his team member eliminated 3 hardcore terrorists. For his bravery during the mission, he was awarded the Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Card.

Kargil War

During Operation Vijay in 1999, he and his team had captured Point 5465, located at 17,000 ft in the Batalik Sector. Later that post was renamed as 'Rajinder Post' in his name.

UN Peacekeeping Mission

He also served in Congo with the UN Peacekeeping Force in 2005.

Kirti Chakra

On Republic Day, 2008, Major Sharma was awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime gallantry award, for his heroic action on 6 October 2007. [1] [2]

Shaurya Chakra

On Republic Day, 2009 Major Sharma was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India's third highest peacetime gallantry award, for his bravery in Manipur on 7 June 2008. He was posted with 32 Assam Rifles at the time of the operation. [3] [4]

Later career

Major Sharma was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Later he has been promoted to the rank of Colonel. Then he took over the command of 2 Jammu and Kashmir Girls Battalion NCC Jammu. [5] He retired from the Indian Army as a Colonel on 3 October 2022.

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References

  1. "Major Rajinder Kumar Sharma, SC". Gallantry Awards.
  2. "Republic Day Gallantry". Sainik Samachar.
  3. "Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations". Sainik Samachar.
  4. "Major Rajinder Kumar Sharma". Gallantry Awards.
  5. "Colonel R.K Sharma takes over Command of 2 J&K Girls Bn NCC". State Times.