Rajesh Singh Adhikari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1970-12-25)25 December 1970 |
| Died | 30 May 1999(1999-05-30) (aged 28) |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1993-1999 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Service number | IC-52574 |
| Unit | .svg) 18 Grenadiers |
| Battles / wars | Kargil War † |
| Awards |  Maha Vir Chakra |
Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari,MVC (25 December 1970 – 30 May 1999), was anIndian Army officer who died during theKargil War. He was posthumously awarded the second highest Indian military honour, theMaha Vir Chakra for bravery on the battlefield.[1][2]
Major Adhikari was born inAlmora was raised inNainital. He completed his schooling fromSt. Joseph's College in 1987, Intermediate from Government Inter College, Nainital and B.Sc. fromKumaon University in 1992.[3]
He attended theIndian Military Academy, a premier military academy in India. Major Rajesh Singh was commissioned on 11 December 1993 from the Indian Military Academy. After graduating from the Academy, he joined the2 Mech. Infantry of theIndian Army. He was posted in18 Grenadiers at the time ofKargil War.[4]
When heavy fighting broke out in theKargil region of the Indian state ofJammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army was ordered to clear the heights. Many battles took place in the region. The Mechanized Infantry's Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, the second army officer to die in the operations, had caused heavy casualties to the Pakistani forces and forced them to withdraw before succumbing to injuries inDrass sector.[5][6] It was one of the most significant battles, theBattle of Tololing, where Rajesh died.[4][7]
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The citation for theMaha Vir Chakra reads as follows:
Gazette Notification: 17 Pres/2000,15.8.99Operation: Vijay - Kargil
Date of Award: 1999Citation:
On 30 May 1999, as a part of battalion operation to capture the Tololing feature, Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari was tasked to secure the initial foothold by capturing its forward spur where the enemy held a strong position. The enemy position was located in a treacherous mountainous terrain covered with snow at a height of about 15,000 feet. While Major Adhikari was leading his company towards the objective, he was fired at from two mutually supporting enemy positions with Universal machine guns. The officer immediately directed the rocket launcher detachment to engage the enemy position and killed two enemy soldiers in close quarter combat. Thereafter, the officer, displaying presence of mind under heavy fire, ordered his medium machine gun detachment to take position behind a rocky feature and engage the enemy. The assault party continued to inch their way up. While so advancing forward, Major Adhikari suffered grievous bullet injuries, yet he continued to direct his sub-unit. Refusing to be evacuated, then he charged at the second enemy position and killed one more occupant, thus capturing the second position at Tololing which later facilitated capture of Point 4590. However later he succumbed to his injuries.
Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari displayed exceptional valour, outstanding leadership in the presence of the enemy and laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
In the 2003 war filmLOC Kargil, Bollywood actorKaran Nath played the role of Maj. Rajesh Adhikari.