Rajesh Kumar (soldier)

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Havildar Rajesh Kumar AC
Portrait of Hav Rajesh Kumar
Born	Lath, Sonipat District, Haryana, India
Died	(2009-08-01)1 August 2009 Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Army
Rank	Havildar
Service number	2890262H
Unit	11 Rajputana Rifles
Awards	Ashok Chakra
Spouse	Beeta

Havildar Rajesh Kumar, AC was a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) of Indian Army who was awarded India's highest military decoration Ashoka Chakra.[1]

Rajesh Kumar was born in the village of Lath near Bhainswal Kalan, Sonipat District in Haryana. He was the son of Ram Kishan and Parmeshwari. He joined the army after his initial education.[2]

Kumar was recruited into 11th battalion Rajputana Rifles, an infantry regiment with a history of gallantry awards and battle honours.[citation needed]

On 1 August 2009, he was leading a section of the Ghatak team on a search mission for terrorists in the forests of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. He opened fire on the terrorists and killed three of them, but was seriously wounded in the process.[citation needed]

He later succumbed to these injuries. He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime military decoration in India.[citation needed]

President Pratibha Patil giving away the Ashok Chakra to Smt. Beeta, widow of Rajesh Kumar in New Delhi on 26 January 2010

The citation by the President of India during the awarding of the Ashoka Chakra read: Havildar Rajesh Kumar showed unparalleled feat of most conspicuous gallantry, fortitude and the rare spirit of self sacrifice in fighting the terrorists.[citation needed]