During the intense Operation Sindoor, which served as India’s retaliatory strike following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, two BSF heroes displayed unparalleled courage against Pakistani aggression. Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham of the 7th Border Security Force battalion were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for their extraordinary bravery at the Kharkola Border Outpost in Jammu.
On May 10, as Pakistan launched mortar shelling and drone attacks, SI Imteyaj, despite suffering critical injuries from an exploding mortar shell, rallied his troops with the defiant cry, “Jawano, aaj khatam kar do inko (Soldiers, finish them today).” His leadership under fire, even in his fatally wounded state, was instrumental in motivating his unit to fight back fiercely. He ultimately succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice.
Constable Chingakham also sustained severe injuries from the same mortar blast, including fractures and splinter wounds. However, he refused evacuation, choosing instead to remain by his comrade’s side and continue the fight until his last breath. Their joint valor and sacrifice in neutralizing enemy drones and repelling the attack earned them the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award. This operation, conducted from May 7-10, targeted terrorist and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, underscoring the unwavering resolve of India’s security forces.