CAPTAIN HANEEF UDDIN: VIR CHAKRA

Captain Haneef Uddin was born on 23rd August 1974 in Delhi. He completed his graduation from Shivaji College in Delhi. Later in 1996, he joined the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA). He was commissioned into the 11th battalion of the Rajputana Rifles on June 7, 1997. He was posted in the Siachen region before Kargil and his battalion was later deployed in Turtuk in Ladakh during the Kargil war.  

Captain Haneef’s company 11 Raj Rif was deployed in Operation Thunderbolt on 6th June 1999 at an altitude of 18,000 feet in the Turtuk region. Their mission was to capture a position in the region that would facilitate the army to monitor the movements of the enemy troops better. Captain Haneef volunteered for this operation as it was his nature to lead from the front. He set off for the operation with one junior commissioned officer and three other ranks. They made significant strides on the nights of 4th and 5th June and captured nearby positions. They captured the adjacent position and set out their advance on 6th June to capture the position they desired. They were undeterred by an altitude of 18,500 feet and extreme temperature. They were however spotted by the enemy and fired upon. A firefight followed, against an enemy equipped with heavy artillery. Captain Haneef was looking over the safety of his men more than himself. He took up a position and showered bullets on the enemy. In the exchange of bullets, he was badly injured. But he kept engaging the enemy until his men were safe from the enemy fire. He ran out of ammunition and was shot from all directions. He succumbed to his injuries, just 200 meters from the position they set out to capture.    

He displayed extreme valor in the face of the enemy and was more concerned about his team’s safety more than his own. He was awarded ‘Vir Charka’ posthumously for his selfless sacrifice.