'Aaj khatam kar do inko': BSF soldiers’ courageous last moments against Pakistan attacks in Operation Sindoor

The BSF post at Kharkola came under “intense” cross-border mortar shelling and aerial drone attacks

In a display of exceptional bravery during Operation Sindoor -- India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack -- BSF Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj, battling grievous injuries, urged his troops to keep fighting against Pakistani drones, shouting, “Jawano, aaj khatam kar do inko (Soldiers, finish them today).”

He later succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Sub-Inspector Imteyaj, along with Constable Deeapak Chingakham of the 7th Border Security Force (BSF) battalion, was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for the gallant action.

Although the medals were announced in August during the Independence Day celebrations, few were aware of the braveheart’s sacrifice on May 10, when Pakistan unleashed a barrage of drones and gunfire.

A government gazette released on October 4, cited by news agency PTI in its latest report, narrates the story of their brave act that took place on May 10 at the border outpost (BOP) Kharkola in Jammu.

Under Operation Sindoor, India launched precision strikes aimed at terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) between May 7 to May 10, days after 26 people, most of who were tourists, were killed in Pahalgam.

The BSF post at Kharkola came under “intense” cross-border mortar shelling and aerial drone attacks.

Displaying remarkable courage, SI Imteyaj left his bunker to take aim with his light machine gun (LMG), shooting down an enemy drone. Constable Chingakham followed suit, engaging another LMG. Within moments, a mortar shell from across the border struck near their morcha (sentry post), inflicting grave injuries on them.

"Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj, while leading from the front, sustained grievous injuries including mangled extremities, abdominal trauma and severe splinter wounds to his neck and arms. Despite his fatal condition, he continued issuing orders and motivating his troops, uttering: ‘Jawano, aaj khatam kar do inko’," the citation reads.

Constable Chingakham also sustained multiple "grievous" splinter injuries in his thorax and fractured tibia but he refused evacuation.

Determined not to abandon his comrade, Chingakham kept on fighting till his last breath and made the supreme sacrifice.

The two men were awarded with the Vir Chakra, a wartime medal which is third in precedence after the Param Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakra, for their "exceptional gallantry and courage".

Sixteen other BSF troops were awarded the police gallantry medal in August during the 79th Independence Day for displaying "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" in Operation Sindoor.