Rifleman Rajesh Poonia was born to Sri Bhag Singh Poonia and Smt Krishna Devi. He belonged to Bhagal village in Guhla Tehsil, in the Kaithal district of Haryana. He joined the Indian Army in 2015 and was enrolled into the 6 Raj Rif unit of the famed Rajputana Rifles Regiment. In 2018, Rifleman Rajesh Poonia’s unit was deployed in the Kakar region of Ladakh along the LOC.
| Place of Birth | Haryana |
| Rank | Rifleman |
| Unit | 6 RR |
| Regiment | Rajputana Rifles |
| Date of Martyrdom | 18th August 2018 |
On 18th August 2018, Rifleman Rajesh was performing patrol duty at about 18000 feet in the area, dotted with dangerous slopes, gorges, and slippery terrain. To make the matter worse, the weather often played the role of the enemy with temperature going down to sub-zero with low visibility. Rifleman Rajesh Poonia also became the victim of the weather at that altitude when he slipped on the icy slopes and fell into a gorge 300 m down. He got severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Rifleman Rajesh Poonia was a valiant and committed soldier who laid down his life in the line of his duty.
Rifleman Rajesh Poonia is survived by his father Sri Bhag Singh Poonia, mother Smt Krishna Devi, and brother Rampal.
