Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra Awardee, born on March 3, 1976, in Kalol Bakain village, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, is a distinguished Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army. He is renowned for his extraordinary valor during the Kargil War, which earned him the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor.
Before the military background, he was a taxi driver in New Delhi. Kumar believed in his aspirations, willpower and joined the Indian Army on June 26, 1996, through the 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, despite getting rejected three times.
During the Kargil War in 1999, Kumar’s battalion was tasked with the aim to retake Area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley, a strategically important position illegally captured by Pakistani forces. On July 4, at the head of the scouts, his team was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire from enemy bunkers. Confronted by the most dangerous situation, Kumar didn’t care for his safety and charged towards the enemy positions. As a result of his gallant act, he was shot in the chest and forearm. In close combat, he single-handedly killed three enemy soldiers. He seized an enemy machine gun and silenced a second bunker. This inspired his platoon to surge forward and finally accomplish the objective.
For his exemplary valor and relentless pursuit of duty, Kumar was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The citation lauds his firm determination and courage.
In his subsequent career, Kumar faced challenges, such as a demotion in 2010 from Havildar to Lance Naik, without the official army giving specific reasons. Still, he continued to serve with dignity and was promoted to Naib Subedar on July 2, 2014. In February 2022, he was promoted to Subedar Major and was posted to the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, near Pune.
The populace and the press have endeavored to depict Kumar’s heroism, which later gave rise to few films, one of which was “LOC Kargil,” in which his role was played by actor Sunil Shetty.
From a civilian to an embellished war hero, Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar has shown his commitment, bravery, and invincible spirit, serving as an inspiration for the people of the nation.