| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami |
| Rank | Lance Naik |
| Unit | 9 Para (Special Forces) |
| Award | Ashoka Chakra, Posthumous |
| Date of Sacrifice | 3 September 2015 |
| Place of Sacrifice | Haphruda Forest, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir |
Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami was a soldier whose life reflected courage, commitment and an unwavering willingness to face the most difficult challenges in the service of the nation. Born in the Lalkuan area of Nainital, Uttarakhand, he came from a family with a connection to military service, as his father had also served in the Indian Army. He joined the Army in 2002 and, driven by a desire to serve in the most demanding operational roles, volunteered for the elite Para Special Forces. Over the years, he earned a reputation among his comrades as a tough and dependable soldier who never hesitated when duty called.
In August and September 2015, Lance Naik Goswami was serving with 9 PARA (Special Forces), attached to the 6th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, in Jammu and Kashmir. During a series of counter-terrorism operations in the region, he repeatedly volunteered for hazardous missions. In the eleven days preceding his final operation, he participated in operations that resulted in the elimination of several terrorists and the capture of another. His determination and fighting spirit made him a valued member of his team.
For Goswami, military service was more than a profession. It was a commitment to his comrades and the responsibility entrusted to him as a soldier. His family remembered him as a devoted husband and father, while his comrades knew him for his eagerness to take on difficult assignments. That combination of personal warmth and professional courage would define the final operation of his life.
The Final Battle in Haphruda Forest
On the intervening night of 2 and 3 September 2015, Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami was part of an ambush in the Haphruda forest of Kupwara district. At approximately 8:15 pm, the team came into contact with four terrorists. The engagement quickly became intense, and two of Goswami's comrades were wounded and pinned down under enemy fire.
Recognising the immediate danger to his fellow soldiers, Goswami and his buddy dashed forward to rescue them, fully aware of the risks involved. During the action, he assisted in eliminating one terrorist. As the danger to his wounded comrades continued, Goswami moved aggressively against the remaining terrorists, drawing intense enemy fire towards himself.
He was struck in the thigh but continued advancing. Despite his injury, he closed the distance and eliminated another terrorist before being shot in the abdomen. Even then, he refused to give up. With extraordinary determination, he moved towards the final terrorist and engaged him at point-blank range, killing him before succumbing to his wounds.
In the course of the engagement, Lance Naik Goswami personally eliminated two terrorists, assisted in neutralising the other two and helped save the lives of three wounded comrades. His actions demonstrated exceptional courage and an extraordinary devotion to the men serving beside him. He placed himself between grave danger and his fellow soldiers until the very end.
For his most conspicuous gallantry, selfless courage and supreme sacrifice, Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. The award recognised his extraordinary actions during the Haphruda operation and his determination to save his comrades despite being repeatedly wounded.
His story remains one of remarkable courage in the proud history of India's Special Forces. Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami demonstrated that true bravery is not merely the willingness to confront danger, but the determination to place the lives of one's comrades above one's own. His final actions in the forests of Kupwara remain a lasting testament to the finest traditions of the Indian Army.
The Honour Post remembers Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami for his courage, his service, his devotion to his comrades and the supreme sacrifice he made in the line of duty.
Lest We Forget.
