Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari: Battle Till the Last Breath
The night was cold… In the mountains of Kashmir, the Tololing post had been captured by the enemy. This was the very place from where the entire valley could be monitored. If this post slipped away, the whole region would be in danger.
On the night of 30th May 1999, an order was given – “The post must be recaptured, at any cost.” The command of this mission was entrusted to Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari.
In the darkness, the climb began silently. Enemy machine guns were spitting fire continuously. The mountain was so steep that every step felt like moving closer to death. But Major Adhikari told his men – “Do not look back… tonight only the tricolor must fly on this peak.”
As they reached near the first enemy bunker, close combat began. Hand-to-hand fighting, bullets, grenades… and the bunker was captured. But during this, Major Adhikari was severely injured.
The wounds were deep, blood was flowing… but retreat never existed in his dictionary. With his wounded body, he pushed forward his rocket launcher and MMG teams. Amidst the heavy firing, he said – “Keep attacking, stopping now is impossible!”
The second bunker was stormed. The enemy was stunned — even after being hit, this commander was not stepping back. That bunker too was captured. Now Point 4590 was in Indian hands.
But the price of this victory was immense. Major Adhikari was martyred right there on the battlefield. When his body returned, along with it came a letter from his wife… a letter Major had promised to read only after the mission’s success. That letter was never opened.
The nation honored him posthumously with the Maha Vir Chakra. His sacrifice laid the foundation of India’s victory in Kargil.
Salute to such brave sons of the soil. Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
J K Starr © 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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