Lieutenant Colonel Shanti Swarup Rana of the 3 Bihar Regiment made the supreme sacrifice on 2 November 1996 during an operation against terrorists in the Haphruda forest area of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. At the time, he was serving with 13 Rashtriya Rifles.
Born on 17 September 1949, he hailed from Badla village in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. He was the youngest among four brothers and three sisters. He received his early education at a government school in Rampur, Hoshiarpur.
He initially served in the Corps of Signals before being selected for the Army Cadet College at Dehradun. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the Bihar Regiment on 11 June 1977.
During his military career, he served in several operational areas, including Operation Rhino, Operation Pawan and Operation Rakshak. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1994 and later served as second-in-command of 13 Rashtriya Rifles.
The Operation in Haphruda Forest
On 2 November 1996, troops were conducting an operation in the Haphruda forest area of Kupwara against terrorists occupying fortified hideouts.
During the operation, the troops located several fortified positions containing arms, ammunition and explosives. As the search continued, another concealed position was identified. Lieutenant Colonel Rana led his men towards the area and engaged the terrorists.
He used grenades and continued to lead from the front despite sustaining serious injuries. Even while wounded, he encouraged his men to continue the operation. As the engagement intensified, he moved forward and confronted the terrorists at close quarters.
Lieutenant Colonel Shanti Swarup Rana made the supreme sacrifice during the operation.
Honoured with the Ashoka Chakra
In recognition of his exceptional courage, leadership and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Shanti Swarup Rana was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.
His actions in the forests of Kupwara remain a testament to the courage and commitment with which he led his men.
