20 October 2019 | A young soldier's supreme sacrifice
On 20 October 2019, Rifleman Gamil Kumar Shrestha of 3/9 Gorkha Rifles made the supreme sacrifice while serving along the Line of Control in the Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. He was 21 years old.
Rifleman Shrestha joined the Indian Army in 2017 and served with 3/9 Gorkha Rifles, part of the 9 Gorkha Rifles Regiment. As a young soldier, he served in a demanding operational environment where personnel remain vigilant along the Line of Control.
In the early hours of 20 October 2019, Pakistani troops opened fire along the Line of Control in the Tangdhar sector. During the ceasefire violation, Rifleman Shrestha sustained splinter injuries. He was evacuated to the Field Hospital at Tangdhar for treatment but succumbed to his injuries.
On 21 October 2019, the Indian Army paid homage to Rifleman Gamil Kumar Shrestha and Havildar Padam Bahadur Shrestha at a wreath-laying ceremony at BB Cantt in Srinagar. Fellow soldiers and representatives of other security agencies gathered to honour their service and sacrifice.
Rifleman Gamil Kumar Shrestha's military service was brief, but his commitment to duty brought him to a forward position where soldiers face danger in the service of the nation. His supreme sacrifice at the age of 21 remains a solemn reminder of the cost of safeguarding India's borders.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Rifleman Gamil Kumar Shrestha, who made the supreme sacrifice on 20 October 2019. His service and sacrifice will be remembered with respect and gratitude.
