Meet Major Ashish Kumar: 7 Para Special Forces Officer Who Eliminated Two Terrorists in Kashmir

In the high-stakes world of counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, where split-second decisions determine life and death, Major Ashish Kumar of the 7th Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) — known as 7 Para SF — demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership. In November 2024, he led his team in a precise, high-risk operation in Anantnag district that resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists, including a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK)-trained Category ‘A’ commander.

For this act of gallantry, Major Ashish Kumar was conferred the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award, by President Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in June 2026.

The Officer and His Elite Unit

Major Ashish Kumar (Service No. IC-83864A) serves with 7 Para SF, one of the Indian Army’s premier special operations units. The Parachute (Special Forces) battalions are dual-capable — trained for both airborne operations and complex special missions, including counter-terrorism, direct action, and intelligence-driven strikes in challenging terrain.

These units operate with a high degree of autonomy, precision, and secrecy. Officers and soldiers of Para SF undergo some of the most rigorous selection and training processes in the Indian Armed Forces, preparing them for operations where the margin for error is minimal. Major Ashish Kumar’s leadership in the Anantnag encounter exemplifies the qualities that define these elite warriors: composure under fire, tactical acumen, and an unwavering commitment to mission success and the safety of his team.

The November 2024 Operation in Larnoo, Anantnag

Acting on specific intelligence, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the rugged Larnoo area (Halkan Gali / Shangus-Larnoo sector) of Anantnag district in early November 2024. The target was a group of terrorists believed to be hiding in the difficult terrain.

Major Ashish Kumar, commanding the Special Forces team, led the operation with precision. The team established contact with the terrorists, who were heavily armed and prepared to fight. In the ensuing close-quarters battle, Major Ashish Kumar displayed outstanding personal bravery. Despite the grave risk to his own life, he advanced towards the terrorists’ position, engaging them directly and neutralising the immediate threat.

The operation culminated successfully with the elimination of two terrorists:

• Arbaz Ahmad Mir (also referred to as Arbaz Ahmed Mir), a POK-trained commander associated with LeT/PAFF networks. He had been designated a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 2023. Reports described him as a highly wanted militant involved in coordinating terrorism and conspiring in targeted killings in the Kashmir Valley. He had been on the run for several years.
• Zahid Ahmed Reshi, his associate.

The terrorists were neutralised without any casualties to the security forces. Weapons and other incriminating material were recovered from the site. This operation represented another significant success in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem in South Kashmir.

Courage Under Fire

What sets this action apart is not merely the elimination of two terrorists, but the manner in which it was achieved. Official and contemporary accounts highlight Major Ashish Kumar’s exceptional courage, leadership, and tactical brilliance. He did not direct the operation from a distance; he personally closed in on the threat, placing himself at significant risk to ensure the mission’s success.

Such close-quarters engagements in dense, unfamiliar terrain against determined and well-armed adversaries demand extraordinary presence of mind, physical fitness, and combat skill. The Shaurya Chakra citation recognises precisely these qualities — acts of conspicuous gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy during counter-terrorism operations.

The Shaurya Chakra: Recognition of Valour

The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy or for acts of conspicuous bravery in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. It ranks below only the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra in the order of precedence for peacetime gallantry awards.

Context: Counter-Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir

The operation in Larnoo occurred against the backdrop of sustained efforts by security forces to eliminate foreign-trained terrorists and their local associates who continue to pose a threat to peace in the region. Arbaz Ahmad Mir represented the archetype of the long-term, cross-border facilitated militant — trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, designated under UAPA, and linked to targeted violence.

The successful neutralisation of such high-value targets through intelligence-driven special operations has been a key factor in the significant improvement in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years. Units like 7 Para SF play a vital role in these precision operations, often operating in small teams in extremely challenging environments.

Conclusion

Major Ashish Kumar of 7 Para SF represents the finest traditions of the Indian Army’s Special Forces — quiet professionalism, extraordinary courage, and selfless service. By leading his team to eliminate two terrorists, including a long-wanted POK-trained commander, in the difficult terrain of Anantnag in November 2024, he upheld the highest standards of valour.

The conferment of the Shaurya Chakra by the President of India in June 2026 is a fitting tribute to his gallantry. His story stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian soldier and serves as an enduring source of inspiration for all those who aspire to serve the nation in uniform.

Major Ashish Kumar’s name appeared in the official list of gallantry awards approved by the President on 14 August 2025, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day. He was one of 16 personnel honoured with the Shaurya Chakra that year. The award was formally presented to him during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in early June 2026.