On 30th June 1999, India lost a valiant soldier, Captain Jintu Gogoi, in the rugged terrains of Kargil during the infamous Kargil War. Born on 21st November 1970, Captain Gogoi, a proud member of the 17th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, displayed unparalleled courage and dedication to the nation.
Captain Jintu Gogoi was not just a soldier, he was born into a family with a deep-rooted connection to the Indian Armed Forces.
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His father, Flying Officer Thogiram Gogoi, was a veteran of the Indian Air Force, and Jintu inherited the call of duty from an early age.
After graduating from Gandhi Memorial National College, he joined the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 1994 and was commissioned into the 17th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles on 11th March 1995.
Captain Gogoi's commitment to duty was evident in the diverse training he underwent, including Mhow, YO, Winter Warfare, and Commando training.
Just after his engagement, duty called, and he had to rush to Kargil as the war unfolded. Little did he know that his journey to the heights of Kala Pathar would become a saga of unparalleled bravery.
On the night of 29th-30th June 1999, during Operation Vijay, Captain Jintu Gogoi was tasked with evicting the enemy from Ridge Line Kala Pathar near the Line of Control.
Despite facing heavy enemy fire, he led his troops with unwavering determination, reaching the top by nightfall.
Surrounded by the enemy and asked to surrender, Captain Gogoi chose the honourable path, refusing to yield. In an act of incredible valour, he opened fire on the enemy, killing two soldiers before making the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Captain Jintu Gogoi's gallantry did not go unnoticed. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime military decoration, for his indomitable courage and sacrifice. The citation highlights his utter disregard for personal safety and his commitment to the unit. Despite his heroism, Captain Gogoi's name remains less known compared to some other Kargil martyrs.
The 17th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, including Captain Jintu Gogoi's platoon, faced arduous challenges during the Batalik sub-sector operations.
The gallant soldiers, often referred to as 'Bhullas,' displayed extraordinary courage in taking Kala Pathar, facing heavy enemy fire and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Captain Gogoi's actions paved the way for further successes, and the battalion was awarded the Battle Honour 'Batalik' for its exploits in Operation Vijay.
Captain Jintu Gogoi's bravery extends beyond military honours. The Assam government posthumously awarded him the state's highest bravery award, the Bir Chilarai Award, in 2008.
In his hometown, Golaghat, Joya Gogoi College honoured the Kargil martyr by naming its library after him. The Indian Army pays tribute every year through the Captain Jintu Gogoi, VrC Memorial Football Tournament.
Captain Jintu Gogoi's story is a testament to the indomitable spirit and sacrifice of our armed forces. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who remember his courage and commitment to the nation. As we pay tribute to this brave son of Assam on his birth anniversary, let us not forget the sacrifices made by countless heroes like Captain Jintu Gogoi, who laid down their lives to safeguard the sovereignty of our nation.
