Major Kamlesh Pandey hailed from Nainital dist. of Uttarakhand, where the main aim of youngsters is to join the army, and he joined Indian Air Force as an airmen but after initial years of service, he thought he can become a commissioned officer, he applied for that, after successful tests, he was commissioned as a Lt. Kamlesh in 21 Dogra with service number IC76583F. Whereas Sepoy Tanzin Chhulthim hailed from Lahaul and Spiti district. of Himachal Pradesh, he joined Indian Army in 2012 with service number 20002513H, and was recruited into Dogra Scouts. Both the brave soldiers belonged to hill states of India, and later in their service period, they came together while on deputation to 62 RR for counter insurgency operations.
On 2nd August, 62 RR base camp received an important information of some terrorist hideout, then an operation team was made ready under the leadership of Major Kamlesh Pandey. Sepoy Tanzin was also accompanying him in the team. After reaching the suspected area, they cordoned the area and searched for the enemies. Then suddenly our troops came under heavy firing from the enemies, which injured Major Pandey, Sepoy Tanzin along with one other soldier, but despite the injury, they continued fierce firing and fought with full bravery, which caused the enemies to run from the spot leaving their weapons. After this they were rushed to the hospital, where Major Kamlesh Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin Chhulthim succumbed to their injuries. In this way they gave the ultimate sacrifice for the integrity and security of the nation. They are remembered as very brave and courageous soldiers of the Army, whom we lost on 3rd August 2017.
“You have never lived until
You have almost died,
And for those who chose to fight,
Life has a special flavour,
The protected will never know!!!”
Captain R Subramanian 1 PARA SF
Kirti Chakra (Posthumous)
