Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari (December 25, 1970- May 30, 1999) Mahavir Chakra Awardee (MVC) was an Indian Army officer who attained martyrdom during the Kargil War.

 

 

He was born in December at Nanital, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), India to KS Adhikari (Father), and Malti Adhikari (Mother). He was posted at the 18 th Grenadiers at the time of Kargil War.

 

 

 

 

 

To capture the Tololing feature on 30 May 1999, as a part of Battalion was tasked to secure the initial foothold by capturing its forward spur where the enemy held a strong position. At a height of about 15,000 feet, the position of the enemy was located in a treacherous mountainous terrain that was covered with snow.

 

 

He was leading his company to fulfill his objective. With Universal machine Guns, he was fired from two mutually supporting enemy positions. He immediately directed the Rocket Launcher detachment to engage the enemy position and without waiting, rushed into the position and killed two enemy personnel in close-quarter combat.

 

 

The officer with his presence of mind ordered his Medium Machine Gun detachment to take the position behind the rocky feature and engage the enemy. During the fight, the officer was injured by the bullets but he continued to direct the Sub unit. He refused to be evacuated and charged the second enemy position and killed one more occupant. The second position at Tololing was captured which later captured Point 4590. He, later, however, succumbed to his injuries.

 

 

He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously, the second-highest Indian military honour for conspicuous gallantry and bravery on the battlefield.