Major Kamlesh Pandey was born to Sri Bhuvan Chand Pandey and hailed from Dugoli village in the Haldwani district of Uttarakhand. He got selected as an airman in the IAF and later joined the Army as a commissioned officer. After serving for a couple of years with his parent unit, Major Kamlesh Pandey was deputed to serve with 62 Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in the J&K area for counter-insurgency operations. During 2017, Major Kamlesh Pandey’s was deployed in the Shopian district of J&K and was involved in operations against the militants
| Service Number | IC76583F |
| Place of Birth | Uttarakhand |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 21 Dogra/ 62 RR |
| Regiment | Dogra Regiment |
| Date of Martyrdom | 3rd August 2017 |
On the late-night of 2nd August 2017, Major Kamlesh Pandey’s unit received information from intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in the Zaipora area of Shopian district. It was decided to launch an operation against the terrorists and deal with the threat. As planned the assault team led by Major Kamlesh Pandey reached the suspected area and launched the search and cordon operation. At around 2 am on 3rd August, while the operation was underway, the troops of 62 RR came under attack from the terrorists, firing from vantage points. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire. Three soldiers including Major Kamlesh Pandey were injured, who were rushed to Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar. Major Kamlesh Pandey took five bullets including one on the neck and two on the lungs injuring him severely and later he succumbed to his injuries.
Major Kamlesh was a brave and committed soldier who laid down his life in the line of his duty, living up to the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
