Rajinder Kumar Sharma | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Col RK Sharma | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1985-2022 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | SC-00137 |
| Unit | The Grenadiers 32 Assam |
| Battles/wars | Kargil War |
| Awards |  Kirti Chakra Shaurya Chakra Sena Medal (Gallantry) |
Colonel Rajinder Kumar Sharma, KC, SC, SM (also known as RK Sharma) is a retired decorated Indian Army officer of the the Grenadiers. He is one of the few recipients of both Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra for his exemplary bravery.
Early life
[edit]Rajinder Kumar Sharma was born in Jammu and Kashmir. His family were refugee who came from POK after partition of India. His father was a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir Police and his uncle was in the army with Artillery Regiment. He was motivated by his uncle since childhood so he was keen to join the army. After completing matriculation in 1983, he started preparation for army. He joined Indian Army as Sepoy in 1985 in 2 Brigade of the Guards. He later received a Short Service Commission through Special Service Commission entry and was commissioned into The Grenadiers in 1999 as a Lieutenant.
Military career
[edit]RK Sharma is a one of the decorated officer of Indian Army. He is known for his courageous actions, bravery and exceptional leadership. He has been part of more than 300 operations in his 37 years of military career.
In 1993 during an encounter with terrorists, Lance Naik Sharma was hit with gunshots. Despite wounded he and his team member eliminated 3 hardcore terrorists. For his bravery during the mission, he was awarded the Sena Medal.
During Operation Vijay 1999, he and his team had captured Point 5465, located at 17,000 ft in Batalik Sector. Later that post was renamed as Rajinder Post on his name.
He also served in Congo with UN Peacekeeping force in 2005.
On Republic Day, 2008, Major Sharma was awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime gallantry award, for his heroic action on 6 October 2007.[1][2]
On Republic Day, 2009 Major Sharma was awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's third highest peacetime gallantry award, for his bravery in Manipur on 7 June 2008. He was posted with 32 Assam Rifles at the time of the operation.[3][4]
Later career
[edit]Major Sharma was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Later he has been promoted to the rank of Colonel. Then he took over the command of 2 Jammu and Kashmir Girls Battalion NCC Jammu.[5] He retired from the Indian Army as a Colonel on 3 October 2022.
References
[edit]- ^ "Major Rajinder Kumar Sharma, SC". Gallantry Awards.
- ^ "Republic Day Gallantry". Sainik Samachar.
- ^ "Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations". Sainik Samachar.
- ^ "Major Rajinder Kumar Sharma". Gallantry Awards.
- ^ "Colonel R.K Sharma takes over Command of 2 J&K Girls Bn NCC". State Times.