Neeraj Sood (officer)
Neeraj Sood | |
|---|---|
| Native name | नीरज सूद |
| Born | 22 November 1970 Delhi, India |
| Died | 22 June 2010 Lolab Valley, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1992 — 2010 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | IC-51655 |
| Unit | .svg){kind=small} 8 Rajputana Rifles |
| Commands | 8 Rajputana Rifles 18 Rashtriya Rifles |
| Awards |  Shaurya Chakra |
| Alma mater | Indian Military Academy National Defence Academy |
Neeraj Sood (22 November 1970 – 22 June 2010) was an colonel in the Indian Army, who was killed while fighting with terrorists in the Jammu and Kashmir in 2010. For his gallantry action, he was posthumously awarded Shaurya Chakra. [1][2][3]He is the highest-ranking officer to be killed in Kashmir in 2010.[4][5]
Early life
[edit]Neeraj was born on 22 November 1970 at Delhi. He belonged from a military family, as his father had served in the Indian Army. He was regarded as a sportsman during his college. After completing education, Neeraj had joined the Indian Military Academy.[6][7][8]
Military career
[edit]Neeraj was commissioned in the 8 Rajputana Rifles as second lieutenant in 1992. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. [9][10]
Throughout his career, he served as an Instructor at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, situated at Variengte. He served almost 8 years at Jammu and Kashmir. He later took the command of 18 Rashtriya Rifles. The unit was deployed near LoC at Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. [11]
22 June 2010, Neeraj had received intelligence information about militants entering Area of Control. He had led his troops to stop the infiltration of militants in the AoR. The Indian forces fired at the militants and an exchange of fire occurred at Kupwara. During the exchange of fire, Neeraj was reportedly shot. He couldn't restrain the injuries and died at Lolab valley. During this, a captain was also injured. [12][5][13]According to the police, he was shifted to a military hospital for further treatment before dying.[14]
Funeral
[edit]Sood was laid to rest at his town, New Delhi. He was laid down with military honours. Numerous senior military officers and other people joined his funeral to show respect towards him.[15][16]
Shaurya Chakra citation
[edit]Neeraj was conferred Shaurya Chakra for his courageous act in the battlefield. His Shaurya Chakra citation read as follows:[17][18]
CITATION
COLONEL NEERAJ SOOD
18 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (IC-51655)
Colonel Neeraj Sood Commanding Officer 18 Rashtriya Rifles devised and effected judicious surveillance and ambush plan from 13 June 10 which subsequently resulted in contact with terrorists at 2105 hours on 22 June 2010 in the area of Kupwara (J&K). Astutely sensing that terrorist movement would evade the cordon, the Commanding Officer swiftly deployed his troops to tactically advantageous positions. Boldly leading from the front, the officer formed the focal point of the cordon re-established contact at 2212 hours on 22 June 2010.
In the ensuing gunfight, Colonel Sood personally targeted and injured one terrorist. Identifying the key role of Colonel Neeraj Sood, the terrorists concentrated their fire on him. In the fierce gun battle that ensued, the officer sustained Fatal Gunshot injury.
References
[edit]- ^ "Col Neeraj Sood , SC (Posthumous )". The Times of India. 2011-06-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "First in 3 years: Colonel killed in Kashmir". The Times of India. 2010-06-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "India army officer killed in Kashmir clash". BBC News. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "India army officer killed in Kashmir clash". The Daily Star. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Army colonel killed in encounter". India Today. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Colonel Killed in Encounter". Telegraph India. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Colonel Neeraj Sood SC". Honourpoint. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ HTCSSB (2020-06-25). "COLONEL NEERAJ SOOD SC – HOW TO CRACK SSB". Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "18 RR/8 Raj Rif Archives". Honourpoint. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ Livefist, Team (2010-06-23). "R.I.P. Colonel Neeraj Sood, CO 18 RR - Livefist". Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Colonel killed, captain injured in Kashmir". The Economic Times. 2010-06-24. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "This was Col Sood's last fortnight in Kashmir". The Indian Express. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Senior Army officer killed in Kashmir encounter". News18. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Slain Kashmir hero Colonel Sood laid to rest". News18. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Col Neeraj Sood's widow mourns his death". The Times of India. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "Army Gallantry Award Winners and their Acts of Gallantry". Ministry of Defence. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Army Roll of Honor". StratPost. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-02.