Naib Subedar Kankara Subba V. Reddy of the Corps of Engineers made the supreme sacrifice after an encounter with terrorists at Drabgam village in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir. He was serving with 44 Rashtriya Rifles during counter-terrorism operations in the region.
On 26 October 2015, security forces received information about the presence of terrorists in Drabgam. A joint operation was launched by personnel of 44 Rashtriya Rifles and the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group to cordon off the area and investigate the information.
During the operation, Naib Subedar Reddy observed two suspected terrorists near a house. Accompanied by his buddy, he moved closer to challenge them. The terrorists opened fire, and Reddy was wounded.
Despite his injuries, he returned fire. According to available accounts of the operation, he struck one terrorist and injured the other before losing consciousness. He was evacuated to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries on 27 October 2015.
For his courage, presence of mind and determination during the encounter, Naib Subedar Kankara Subba V. Reddy was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
His sacrifice honours the personnel who continue to perform their duties under fire during operations in difficult circumstances. Despite being seriously wounded, he continued to resist the attackers and placed his duty ahead of his own safety.
