Major Rajiv Joon — a modest but daring officer

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

“Love for the nation can make one go to any extreme” — A Grenadier.

People are fascinated by the men in olive green uniform and still in a greater degree in Haryana that has a long history of soldiery and sacrifices in the line of duty. Rajiv Kumar Joon as a child  always dreamt of donning the olive green and serving the nation. He did realise his dream and joined the Indian Army. He sacrificed his life while confronting terrorists during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir. He was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime military decoration in India, for this most conspicuous act of bravery. 

Rajiv was born at Gaddi Kheri village in Rohtak district on December 5, 1969. He lost his father when he was just about 11 and his mother Shanti Devi single-handedly raised him and his four siblings. As a child, Rajiv was fascinated by the soldierly aura of his 'mausa ji' Brig Kaptan Singh Kataria, and dreamt of following in his footsteps. After primary education from Sir Chhotu Ram Memorial Public School, Rohtak, Rajiv joined Sainik School, Kunjpura (Karnal), where his inclination towards Army life got firmed up. After senior secondary, he went on to join the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, and was commissioned into 22 Grenadiers on June 8, 1991. While in the battalion, Rajiv soon evolved into a dedicated and committed soldier; even as a subaltern, his bravery and combat skills did not go unnoticed by his seniors.

The entire Kashmir Valley had become a hotbed of militancy by the time 22 Grenadiers was inducted into Jammu and Kashmir in September 1992. On April 16, 1994, Rajiv as a young Captain made known the stuff he was made of when he led his team of Ghataks and eliminated three hardcore militants in a fierce encounter; a daring act for which he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest military decoration during peace time. The Shaurya Chakra undoubtedly was recognition of his devotion to duty but he was destined to repeat his performance with an unparalleled act of valour. The summary of  the most conspicuous act of bravery by Major Joon is recorded in 22 Grenadiers War Diary.

“Rajiv bhai sahab, though a believer, was not too religious. His religion was his motherland, his Paltan and his jawans for whom he would sacrifice anything, even his life,” says Paramjit, younger brother of Major Rajiv Joon.

Brigadier Randhir Singh (Retd.), who commanded 22 Grenadiers during its counterinsurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley, remembers him as, “Rajiv was modest and unassuming but professionally very competent in handling fierce encounters. Cool in lull periods but during action, Rajiv was a live wire, an attribute he had displayed more than once during a series of encounters with the militants”.

Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime military decoration in India, is awarded for most conspicuous act of bravery, or some act of daring or pre-eminent valour or self sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy was instituted by the President of India on January 4, 1952. There have been 50 recipients of the Ashok Chakra since Independence. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.

War Diary of 22 Grenadiers reads

On September 16, 1994, during a battalion-level search and destroy operation at Shopian village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir around 1 pm, while searching the village, Major Joon discovered a hideout in a house wherein two militants were hiding. On being challenged and asked to surrender, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the search party, injuring one jawan. Realising the gravity of the situation, Major Joon ordered his party to cover his move while he closed onto the hideout, crawling under the terrorists' fire. He tried to engage the militants but did not succeed. He immediately changed his position and crawled outside the house to take up position under a window from where he threw a grenade inside the house. 

One terrorist was eliminated in the grenade blast. Sensing the ‘Do or die’ situation, other kept firing indiscriminately. It was dark inside the hideout and though being just a few steps from it, Major Joon could not spot the terrorist, who saw him approaching. The terrorist fired indiscriminately, injuring Major Joon in the throat and the chest. With total disregard to his personal safety, Major Joon made the final attempt and sprayed the room with a volley of bullets in which the second militant was also killed. However, Major Joon had sustained serious bullet injuries in his vital organs and the brave-heart died while being evacuated to the Base Hospital, Srinagar.

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