BY Anurag Chauhan
A tribute by someone who believes even the silence of bravery should be heard. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was not born with a silver spoon, but with a lion’s heart, full of courage. Hailing from the humble village of Kalol Bakain in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, he belonged to a modest Dogra Rajput family raised by Sh. Durga Ram and Smt. Bhag Devi. He grew up with values of simplicity, honesty, and unwavering resolve — qualities that shaped him into not just a soldier in uniform, but a warrior in spirit. Life did not come easy to him. His application to the Indian Army was rejected three times until 26 June 1996, when he was finally enlisted in the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles — the legendary battalion in the Kargil War.
The Rooftop of Bravery: Mission Flat Top
On 4 July 1999, during the height of the Kargil War, Sanjay Kumar was assigned a mission to lead the assault team as the scout to capture the heavily fortified Area Flat Top. This role was not given at random — it was entrusted to him because of his fearlessness, skill, and the respect he commanded among his fellow soldiers. As the team ascended the rocky cliffs, they faced heavy enemy fire from machine-gun bunkers. Pinned down and with casualties rising, Sanjay Kumar made a split-second decision to charge forward alone. He engaged in hand-to-hand combat with astounding bravery, killed enemy soldiers, captured an enemy machine gun, and charged again to neutralize another bunker. He was badly wounded but refused evacuation, continued fighting, and helped ensure the successful capture of the post. His lone charge through enemy fire became one of the most iconic moments of the war.
A Simple Man with a Towering Dream
Sanjay Kumar received his education in a local school in Bilaspur, and while there are no detailed records of higher education, his life’s journey reveals that he possessed determination and clarity of purpose. He joined the Indian Army because he believed in serving his motherland, not out of recognition. The mountains in his heart were taller than the icy cliffs of Kargil and he was ready to climb both.
Param Vir Chakra: A Nation’s Salute
For his unmatched gallantry, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor. He stands among an elite group of soldiers who have displayed exceptional courage under the most dangerous circumstances. A statue honoring him now stands at the Param Yodha Sthal in Delhi. In further recognition, on Parakram Diwas (23 January 2021), one of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was renamed Sanjay Dweep, ensuring his name lives not only in our hearts but also on our national map.
Another Brave Sanjay: Major Sanjay Singh
While this article honours Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, it would be incomplete without mentioning another lion-hearted soldier who gave his life for the nation. Born on 24 April 1968 in Bihar, Major Sanjay Singh was the son of Sh. Maheshwari Prasad and Smt. Susheela Devi. His sacrifice, like that of Sanjay Kumar, is a reminder of the many silent heroes whose stories deserve to be told and cherished.
The Hero Who Walked Alone So Others Could March Ahead
“Some soldiers become headlines, others become heartlines — quietly beating within the soul of this nation.” Rifleman Sanjay Kumar is not just a war hero; he is a living lesson in courage. He proved that Rejections don’t define you, Simplicity can wear bravery like a crown, and even a man from a small village can face down machine guns without blinking. He did not fight for fame, he fought for the flag. And that is why his story is an inspiration for generations to come.
