January 13, 1978, Rohtak, Haryana-born Major Mohit Sharma lived a life that symbolized more than just being a soldier; he embodied the undefeatable spirit of courage, patriotism, and selflessness. To his family, Major Mohit Sharma was fondly ‘Chintu’, and to his comrades, ‘Mike’. The class in which he studied was just a partial blend of remarkable talent and unflinching dedication toward the nation. He was not only an efficient warrior but also an accomplished musician who would enchant the listeners with his performances on guitar, mouth organ, and synthesizer, often serenading them with melancholic melodies by Hemant Kumar. This placed artistic sensibility and military prowess in a perfect juxtaposition, making him a very special person.
While his studies led him first to an engineering college, the sound of the drums in Major Sharma’s heart did not take too long to listen to, and he joined the prestigious NDA in the year 1995 to don the khaki and embark upon a journey of valor. His time at NDA was nothing but outstanding; Major Mohan Sharma distinguished himself in a wide-ranging variety of disciplines as a winner horse rider, a potential boxer, and a proficient swimmer. At natural leadership, thus, it stood true to him that he was handpicked for service as a Cadet Adjutant of his Battalion at the Indian Military Academy, which was a good opportunity for having met the former President of India, K. R. Narayanan for the first time in his stellar march.
Major Mohit Sharma was commissioned into the 5 Madras Regiment in December 1999. His military career was marked by undaunted bravery and selfless service. After Hyderabad, he was posted to Kashmir with the 38 Rashtriya Rifles, where his gallantry won him his first gallantry award, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Medal, in 2002. Driven by an innate desire to be amongst the elite, he joined the 1 Para (Special Forces) in 2003, an assignment that would witness him earn the Sena Medal for Gallantry in 2004. This medal was a precursor to his ultimate sacrifice and ultimate recognition.
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Major Sharma’s defining moment of courage came on March 21, 2009, during a perilous operation in the dense forests of Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir. Tasked with leading the Bravo Assault Team against infiltrating terrorists, he faced a maelstrom of gunfire from three directions. Though greatly pressured, he showed extraordinary valour by rescuing two hurt soldiers while placing himself in imminent danger. His will was still unbroken after he received a fatal chest wound. He remained in command, gave orders to his team, and threw grenades, killing two terrorists. He then took on the rest of the terrorists in close quarters combat, killing two more before succumbing to his injuries. His supreme sacrifice, along with four others, is a very somber reminder of his devotion to duty and his country.
Besides this on the battle fields, another very important factor to Major Sharma’s legend is an involvement in an operation behind a veil. He went deep in the terror network in Kashmir, posing as ‘Iftikhar Bhatt’ in 2004. He very cleverly negotiated the treacherous landscape, gaining the trust of key terrorist figures and ultimately using this trust to eliminate prominent targets. His most important victory was the elimination of two top terrorist commanders, Subzar and Torara, a very daring feat that showed his strategic acumen and unflinching resolve.
The life of Major Mohit Sharma was a symphony of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism. His posthumous award of Ashoka Chakra stands as an epitome to his unmatched gallantry. His legacy will be an inspiration forever for the coming generations of the soldiers, for his wife, Major Rishima Sharma, who too is an army officer, and for his family. Major Mohit Sharma was not just a soldier; he was a hero whose name would live on as an epitome of bravery in the face of terror, the perfect embodiment of the warrior ethos. His life would remind us all of the highest sacrifice in service to the nation and the unbreakable spirit of those in uniform.
