Sanjeev Jamwal — A gallant Dogra

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Himachal Pradesh is rightfully considered a nursery of military brave-hearts. 

Sanjeev Jamwal, an alumnus of Sainik School, Sujanpur Tihra, was born on August 2, 1974, in Shimla. He was commissioned into the Indian Army on June 7, 1997. As a young Captain, while he was part of the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan, Sanjeev got a lifetime opportunity, when he was attached to the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK RIF) to show his mettle in the Kargil War.

Pakistan unilaterally breached the provisions of 1972 Shimla Agreement and violated the sanctity of the LOC by infiltrating its regular soldiers across the Indian side in April 1999. These intruders established themselves on the top of high mountain ridgelines from Mushkoh valley in the west to Chorbat La in the east in Kargil sector.

Initially, the information on the extent of Pak intrusion was a bit hazy, but by aggressive patrolling, soon the extent of intrusion in terms of their strength and dispositions was ascertained and plans were formulated to evict the intruders at the earliest. The highest feature on the ridgelines held by the enemy was Pt 5140, which had strategic importance since it overlooked the National Highway 1A, the lifeline of entire Ladakh. Occupation of this feature by the intruders could seriously interfere with the vehicular movement with observed artillery and long range mortar fire. The 13 JAK RIF which had been inducted in the Kargil sector in early June 1999 had fully acclimatised itself in high-altitude warfare and was prepared to take on any task assigned to it. And, the 13 JAK RIF with its every single man of steel, in just one night operation, snatched the formidable Pt 5140 from the jaws of the enemy.

Captain Sanjeev Singh Jamwal, a young officer originally commissioned into the Army Service Corps and on attachment with the 13 JAK RIF during the Kargil War, started off with the individual act of gallantry and the witnesses, the brave jawans, rallied with him and in a fierce fight, including hand-to-hand combat, blasted the intruders out from Pt 5140, an act for which Captain Sanjeev Jamwal was most deservedly awarded the Vir Chakra. 

Sanjeev Singh Jamwal, Vr C, now a Colonel, is commanding an Army Service Corps battalion near Amritsar in Punjab. He has two sons and the elder one is in Class XII and already preparing to follow into his father's footsteps.

Colonel Sanjeev Singh Jamwal, Vr C, an ASC officer, can never thank the military secretary's branch of Army Headquarters enough for ordering his attachment order during Kargil war with the 13 JAK RIF battalion, as it earned two Param Vir Chakras, eight Vir Chakras and a large number of Sena Medals and other gallantry awards. Sanjeev has truly earned the honorific 'The Bravest of the Brave'.

The battle account of his bravery reads...

“As part of 'Operation Vijay', on June 20, 1999, Captain Sanjeev Jamwal, attached to the 13 JAK RIF was tasked to re-capture Pt 5140 in Dras sub-sector. The feature had seven heavily fortified sangars (improvised bunkers) and each had to be tackled one by one to evict all intruders. Captain Sanjeev let go the battalion battle cry "Durge Mata Ki Jai" and led the assault. Sanjeev approached the objective from the west along with his column and reached within assaulting distance of the enemy defenses maintaining total surprise. Leading from the front along with his buddy, he physically assaulted the first sangar. This took the enemy by total surprise, forced a hand-to-hand fight and resulted in panic among the enemy. After successfully clearing the first sangar, Captain Sanjeev led the assault on second sangar and caused further attrition on the enemy. He personally killed three intruders and was instrumental in the successful capture of Pt 5140 Top. Captain Sanjeev Singh Jamwal displayed remarkable leadership qualities and boundless courage during close quarter battle with the enemy and was awarded the Vir Chakra."

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)