Capt Dilip Kumar Jha KC

Captain Dilip Kumar Jha KC hailed from Haripur village in Darbhanga district of Bihar and was born on 20th Jan 1977. Son of Shri Nathuni Jha, Capt Dilip Kumar did his initial schooling from Katihar and then went to Mussoorie for completing his Class XII. As Capt Dilip lost his mother at a very young age, his father single handedly brought him up. In Mussoorie he studied at Oak Grove Boys’ School from from 1985 to 1995. He was good in athletics and at Oak Grove Boys’ School he became the school athletic captain in 1994. He had a strong inclination to join the Armed Forces since his childhood and continued to follow his dream while growing up. His dream came true when he got selected for the NDA after his schooling. Later he went to IMA for further training and passed out in 1994 as a Lieutenant at the age of 22 years.

He was commissioned on 11th Dec 1999 into Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), an important arm, responsible to provide logistics support to the Indian Army during war and peace.  The role of the Army Ordnance Corps is to make available all kinds of stores to all army units at the right time, in the right quantity, at the right place and right cost. The inventory of AOC covers every conceivable requirement of the soldier from clothing to weapons, from a needle to a tank and also all munitions except fuel, fodder and medicines. However as a Lieutenant, he was sent on deputation to an infantry Battalion of 7 Jat as his first assignment.

Poonch Operation (J&K) : 02 Oct 2002

During 2002, Capt Dilip Kumar Jha was serving with 7 Jat Battalion deployed in Poonch district of J&K. The unit troops were engaged in operations against the terrorists on a regular basis as the unit's area of responsibility (AOR) was active with militancy. The AOR of the unit spanned over dense jungle and remote rugged mountainous terrain with extreme weather conditions, especially in the winter season. The area was also prone to infiltration, which necessitated regular armed patrols to check any infiltration from across the border. Capt Dilip Kumar Jha was functioning as Ghatak Platoon commander and by Sep 2002, had taken part in 8 important counter-insurgency operations killing over 27 terrorists. On the night of 2nd October 2002, Capt Dilip Kumar, while on a dominating patrol in Mendhar sector of Poonch district, observed a group of terrorists infiltrating through a nalla. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Capt Dilip quickly deployed his soldiers tactically to corner the infiltrators.

He held the fire and let the infiltrators close in. As they moved closer Capt Dilip fired at close range and eliminated one terrorist. As a result, the remaining two terrorists ran helter-skelter taking advantage of thick foliage and under growth. Capt Dilip without caring for his safety lunged forward and engaged the fleeing terrorists. In a show of cold courage and commendable leadership, he managed to kill the remaining terrorists too. However during the heavy exchange of fire, Capt Dilip too received gun shots and was seriously injured. But he later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Dilip Kumar Jha was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence, who led his men from the front like a good military leader and laid down his life in the service of the nation at the age of 25 years. Cap Dilip Kumar Jha was given ‘Kirti Chakra”, the nation’s second highest peacetime gallantry award for his exemplary courage, unyielding fighting spirit, camaraderie and supreme sacrifice.

Capt Dilip Kumar Jha is survived by his father Shri Nathuni Jha.

• A memorial with his life size statue has been constructed in the honour of Capt Dilip Kumar Jha at his native village Haripur in Darbhanga district of Bihar. 
• A museum has been created in the memory of Capt Dilip Kumar Jha at his residence, which houses his belongings and other memorabilia. 
• Oak Grove Boys’ School, Mussoorie has instituted "DK Jha Memorial Trophy" in the honour of Capt Dilip Kumar Jha, and is awarded for excellent performance in mile race in the school every year.

The citation for the ‘Kirti Chakra’ awarded to him reads :

Capt Dilip Kumar Jha was serving as Ghatak platoon Commander in 'Operation Rakshak' and 'Operation Parakram' on the Line of Control. Under his inspiring leadership, the Ghatak platoon participated in eight operations, eliminating twenty-seven terrorists. In these operations, Capt Dilip Kumar Jah always led from the front.

On the night of 02/03 October 2002 in an ambush, he observed a group of terrorists, infiltrating through a Nala. Capt Dilip Kumar Jha held his fire, let them close in, and sprung the ambush killing one terrorist instantly. Two other terrorists ran and taking advantage of the folds and undergrowth in the Nala, fired at his stop. Unmindful of his safety in the face of intense fire, he moved ahead to engage the remaining terrorists and in a fierce close-quarters encounter killed both the terrorists before making the supreme sacrifice.

Capt Dilip Kumar Jha displayed extraordinary courage, exemplary initiative and striking qualities of leadership in fighting the terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice.