Assam Rifles held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at Chariduar, Assam, to mark the 30th anniversary of the sacrifice made by seven of its soldiers during Operation Rakshak in Kunthal, Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The ceremony honored the memory of the brave men who laid down their lives in service to the nation on 22 July 1995.
Honouring the Fallen
The ceremony, conducted with full military honours, was a poignant reminder of the price paid by soldiers in the line of duty. The seven martyrs were:
| Name | Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rajender Singh | Havildar | Late |
| Banarasi Lal | Rifleman | Late |
| Karnail Singh | Rifleman | Late |
| Hari Kumar Singha | Rifleman | Late |
| Ramendra Singh | Rifleman | Late |
| Ram Pravesh Singh | Rifleman | Late |
| Baldev Singh | Rifleman | Late |
Wreaths were laid by senior officers of Assam Rifles in tribute to these men, whose courage and commitment stood firm in one of the most challenging counter-insurgency operations of the 1990s.
Personal Touch: Reaching Out to Families
In a thoughtful gesture that went beyond military formalities, Assam Rifles personnel also reached out to the Next of Kin (NOK) of all seven martyrs over telephone. Each family was personally contacted and conveyed the nation’s deep gratitude for their loved ones’ ultimate sacrifice.
A senior officer present at the ceremony remarked, “These heroes gave everything they had. It’s not just a duty for us — it’s a responsibility to ensure that their names and sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Operation Rakshak: A Look Back
Operation Rakshak was a major internal security initiative launched in the 1990s to curb terrorism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident at Kunthal, Doda on 22 July 1995, remains one of the costliest days for the Assam Rifles in terms of lives lost in a single operation.