Major Vinod Kumar Rana SM

Maj Vinod Kumar Rana hailed from Bajhghera village of Gurgaon district in Haryana and was born on 14 August 1971. Son of an army veteran Risaldar Maj Mohinder Singh, he completed his schooling at Moti Lal Nehru sports school Rai. He was fascinated with army life, since his younger days and had made up his mind to follow in the footsteps of his father.  Following his passion, he consequently got selected for the prestigious NDA Khadakvasla. His outstanding performance during NDA training won him the "President's Gold Medal". Later went to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, for further training,  where he won the prestigious "Sword of Honour" for being the best cadet. 

After completing his training he was commissioned into 9 Horse also known as 'The Deccan Horse' of the Armoured Corps, the arm well known for its formidable tanks.  He soon developed into a fine officer with commendable soldierly skills. After serving for a few years with his parent unit, he was sent on deputation to 37 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.

Mendhar Operation (J&K) : 20 Oct 2002

During 2002, Maj Vinod Kumar Rana’s unit 37 RR was deployed in the Poonch district of J & K.  As a number of militants were active in the unit’s AOR(Area of Responsibility), the unit troops had to maintain a very high state of preparedness at all times and had to undertake operations at a short notice. The unit also launched regular armed patrols to monitor their area of responsibility on a regular basis. On 20 Oct 2002, Maj Vinod Kumar Rana was leading a patrol as part of an ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the unit's AOR. 

As Maj Vinod Kumar Rana and his comrades reached the suspected area in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district, they detected some suspicious movements. Maj Rana quickly deployed his troops tactically to cordon off the area and launched the search operation. The militants felt cornered and started firing indiscriminately to break the cordon and escape.  A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with heavy exchange of fire from both sides. Maj Vinod Kumar Rana displaying commendable courage succeeded in eliminating one militant.  However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Maj Vinod Kumar Rana received gunshots and was severely injured. He finally succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Vinod Kumar Rana showed extreme courage, valour and camaraderie during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation.

Maj Vinod Kumar Rana was given the gallantry award “Sena Medal” posthumously for his cold courage, unfaltering leadership and supreme sacrifice.

• A Memorial has been made at Gurugram in his honour and is known as "Shaheed Major Vinod Kumar Rana Memorial".