Two Bravehearts from Himachal Posthumously Honored with Shaurya and Kirti Chakra: The Heroic Sagas of Rohit and Dilawar
Martyr Rohit and Dilawar family receiving the honor
Shimla, May 23:
India has posthumously honored two sons of Himachal Pradesh—Havildar Rohit Kumar Negi of Kinnaur and Naik Dilawar Khan of Una—for their exceptional valor and sacrifice in the line of duty. In a solemn ceremony held in New Delhi on Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Shaurya Chakra on Havildar Rohit Kumar and the Kirti Chakra on Naik Dilawar Khan for their supreme bravery and devotion to the nation.
Havildar Rohit Kumar Negi: A Mountain Warrior’s Last Ascent
Hailing from Taranda village in Kinnaur district, Havildar Rohit Kumar was serving with the High Altitude Warfare School and led an operational mountaineering team. On October 8, 2023, while scaling the perilous Mount Kun (7,077 meters) in Jammu and Kashmir, he demonstrated extraordinary climbing skill, leadership, and grit.
Battling sub-zero temperatures and negotiating 85-degree vertical slopes, he laid over 2,000 meters of rope to secure the route for his team. Tragically, he was caught in a massive avalanche and made the ultimate sacrifice. His body was recovered nine months later after a prolonged search operation.
For his indomitable courage and devotion to duty, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. His mother Krishna Devi and wife Bharat Lakshmi accepted the award on his behalf—an emotional moment marked by a deep mix of pride and grief.
Naik Dilawar Khan: A Hero in the Face of Terror
Naik Dilawar Khan, a resident of Gharwasra village in Una district, was serving with the 28 Rashtriya Rifles, on deputation from the Indian Army’s Artillery Regiment. On the night of July 23, 2024, in the Lolab Valley of Kupwara district, Jammu & Kashmir, he displayed extraordinary gallantry during a face-off with terrorists.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., intelligence confirmed the presence of two armed terrorists nearby. One of them posed an imminent threat. Without regard for his own safety, Naik Dilawar directly engaged the terrorist at close quarters. Though critically wounded in the firefight, he managed to overpower and neutralize the assailant on the spot—a moment of raw heroism etched into military history.
For this act of supreme bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, which was received by his mother Bhola Devi and wife Jamila. The touching visuals of the ceremony brought tears to many across the nation.
A State’s Tribute
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid tribute to both martyrs, stating:
“The sacrifice made by Havildar Rohit Kumar Negi and Naik Dilawar Khan in the defense of our nation is eternal. Their courage and devotion will inspire generations to come. Himachal is proud of its brave sons.”
Their stories are not just of loss, but of unmatched valor and the unwavering spirit of the Indian soldier.
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