Kalakote Encounter 2023 operation (from honorpoint)
Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht hailed from Ratighat village of Nainital district in Uttarakhand and was born in the year 1993. Son of Shri Diwan Singh Bisht, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht had a brother Neeraj Bisht as his sibling. Like many youngsters in Uttarakhand, he had an inclination to serve in the Armed Forces since his younger days. Consequently, he joined the army in the year 2012 at the age of 19 years, after completing his school education. He was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, an elite infantry Regiment well known for its daredevil para commandos and numerous bold operations. Later he decided to volunteer for Special Forces and was inducted into the elite 9 Para(SF), a unit raised in 1966 that specialized in Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. By the year 2023, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht had put in about 11 years of service and had developed into a battle-hardened soldier.
Rajouri Encounter (J&K) : 22 Nov 2023
During Nov 2023, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht’s unit 9 Para(SF) was deployed in the Rajouri sector of the Kashmir valley, as part of the 'Romeo' force functioning under the operational control of XVI Corps of the Indian Army. As the area of responsibility (AOR) of the unit fell in the region infested with militants, the unit had to undertake counter-insurgency operations on a regular basis. Based on the information from the intelligent sources, the unit decided to launch a search and cordon operation along with 63 RR and J&K Police on 22 Nov 2023. Accordingly, a joint operation was launched on the intervening night of 21/22 Nov 2023 along with elements of 9 Para(SF), 63 RR, and J & K Police. As planned the joint team reached the suspected Kalakote area of Gulabgarh forest in Rajouri district and launched the cordon and search operation. L/Nk Sanjay Bisht was part of the joint force that was tasked to undertake this operation.
As the search operation was underway, the terrorists sensing the danger fired at the troops in a bid to escape. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire from both sides. The terrorists including their leader were holed up in a dhok (Temporary thatched roof mud house) and were targeting the troops from there. L/Nk Sanjay Bisht, sensing danger to other soldiers and civilians as well, came out of cover to pin down the terrorists. However, while doing so, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht got caught in the volley of fire, sustaining bullet injuries. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. The operation continued and eventually, all the terrorists were neutralized. However, besides L/Nk Sanjay Bisht, four other brave hearts from 9 Para(SF) and 63 RR too lost their lives during the operation. The other martyred soldiers included Capt MV Pranjal, Capt Shubham Gupta, Havildar Abdul Majid, and Paratrooper Sachin Laur. L/Nk Sanjay Bisht was a valiant soldier, who displayed courage of a very high order during the operation and laid down his life at the age of 30 years in the service of the nation. L/Nk Sanjay Bisht was awarded the "Sena Medal" posthumously on 26 Jan 2024 for his commendable gallantry, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.
Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht is survived by his father Shri Diwan Singh Bisht and brother Shri Neeraj Bisht.
