Naik Jardish — only Haryanvi to be awarded Shaurya Chakra twice

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Every soldier in the enemy’s line of fire fights his best but some, well aware of the added risk involved, stretch themselves beyond the call of duty. Naik Jardish Ahmed of 22 Grenadiers was one of such rare bravehearts. He is the only Haryanvi with a ‘Bar’ to Shaurya Chakra. A Bar denotes the award earned the second time; winning a Chakra award twice in two different actions is most uncommon. 

Jardish Ahmed, son of Anttar Khan, belonged to Golpuri village in Mewat district. Incidentally, Golpuri is also referred to as ‘Grenadieron ka Gaon’, as a majority of men of this village have served in or are serving in Grenadiers. After his basic education, Jardish was enrolled in 22nd Battalion of Grenadiers Infantry Regiment; the regiment that has given three Param Vir Chakra winners to the Indian Army. 22nd Battalion of Grenadiers has the unique distinction of having two Ashok Chakra awardees (both Haryanvis) on its roll of honour. And Jardish Ahmed, followed into their footsteps earnestly.  

Ever since its induction into Jammu and Kashmir, 22 Grenadiers had been thickly involved in the Kashmir valley, successfully raiding hideouts of militants and conducting cordon and search operations. During one such operation, Jardish Ahmed, now a Lance Naik, for his exemplary courage, and camaraderie was awarded the Shaurya Chakra. The account of the encounter with militants is recorded in the War Diary of 22 Grenadiers.

This was only the beginning; battle-hardened Jardish Ahmed was part of numerous risky operations. Three years later, he was once again part of one search mission where his indomitable gallantry was on display.

“On August 14, 1994, Naik Jardish Ahmed was again a member of a cordon and search party tasked with searching Simar village in Anantnag district in the Kashmir valley where some militants were suspected to be hiding. During the search, a suspicious movement atop a hill feature in the north of the village was noticed. Immediately, two parties crawled upwards under the camouflage of undergrowth. When the parties were 100 yards short of the top, they were detected and fired upon by five militants. Despite a heavy volume of fire, Naik Jardish Ahmed, the second party commander, closed in on a militant, who was covering the escape of the other four, and shot him dead. Other militants lobbed two hand grenades and tried to escape.

Naik Jardish Ahmed rushed forward, crawled as close as 15 yards to the militants, who lobbed two more hand grenades at him and brought down a volley of fire. Even though heavily outnumbered and despite grave danger, Naik Jardish Ahmed crawled closer and injured three militants. The group of hardcore armed terrorists, in their last bid, threw one more hand grenade and together charged at Naik Jardish Ahmed. With lightning speed, Naik Jardish Ahmed, from a lying position, sprayed a volley of bullets and killed all three militants. But in the fire fight, Naik Jardish Ahmed was also mortally wounded in the chest and he died instantly”.

This remarkably gallant action of Naik Jardish Ahmed resulted in the elimination of four hardcore militants and in the recovery of four AK-56 assault rifles and 20 loaded magazines of ammunition. For his indomitable courage, utmost bravery and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, Naik Jardish Ahmed was awarded the ‘Bar’ to the Shaurya Chakra.

What Jardish Ahmed achieved in a short span of his military service is exceptional and rare. Not only his Battalion, his Regiment, and the Indian Army, Naik Jardish Ahmed did every Haryanvi proud.

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)

The account of his bravery in War Diary of 22 Grenadiers reads...

On September 8, 1991, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed of 22 Grenadiers was part of a party detailed to carry out a cordon and search operation in Buran Pattan village of Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir. On locating a group of six militants, the party chased them. During the chase, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed, armed with a light machine gun, gave accurate covering fire to the party. On spotting a lone militant rising out of the paddy field, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed charged and captured him with his pistol. With total disregard to his personal safety, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed splashed forward and killed another terrorist, who was about to fire at him. He then began the search to the right. Spotting a militant aiming to fire at his Company Commander, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed leaped forward and shot him dead before he could press the trigger of his gun. In this operation, it was due to the quick action and gallantry of Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed that the lives of his teammates, including his Company Commander, were saved and three hardcore militants were shot dead. For displaying indomitable courage and camaraderie of the highest order in the face of hardcore militants, Lance Naik Jardish Ahmed was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.