Major Rishi Nair, an extremely valiant officer in the 42 Rashtriya Rifles, proved instrumental in bringing peace and normalcy to the volatile Tral region of Kashmir. A man born in Kerala, Major Rishi was swift in action and excellent in valor. Being the first one on the ground where there had been intelligence input confirming the presence of two militants, it was his fearlessness that produced the victory for the army that day.
Major Rishi lost no further time in engaging his forces and closing all escape routes of the terrorists. Aquib was the most wanted, and it had been three years since he survived as a local terrorist in the region. The soldiers militarily surrounded the building and stood at strategic places, ready to face the terrorists. Major Rishi and his team started sowing explosives around the house to provoke them out of their hiding.
Then, the display of exemplary bravery. Leading his Quick Response Team (QRT), Major Rishi went forward personally to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside the house, one of the most hazardous tasks while conducting such operations. His leadership and valor were followed up as he detonated a section of the house, which pushed back the terrorists inside.
The blast cornered two militants- one was a local Kashmiri named Aquib, and the other, Farsan, was a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant- Major Rishi realized that now things were at an appropriate stage, and he volunteered for another foray into the house to place more explosives. It was darkness and ongoing firing. He bravely moved into the house and put the IED so that it would have maximum effect.
One of the militants opened fire while placing the bomb, a bullet hitting the face of Major Rishi, severally injuring his nose, cheekbone, and jaw. Pain and blood oozing from wounds notwithstanding, he quickly assessed the threat to his team. He never hesitated and took a shot with his AK-47, neutralizing the terrorist at point blank range and ensuring the safety of his team. Injuring and all, he led out his QRT successfully.
The meeting ended with Major Rishi being rushed to the hospital by the Regimental Medical Officer, who immediately treated him, and he also underwent emergency surgery. The 16-hour standoff had come to an end with the terrorists killed, but for the permanent marks on Major Rishi’s face, which will be a last reminder of his display of bravery and dedication to duty.
The locals loved Major Rishi not just for his personality but also for his amicability. A rapport between a militaristic force and the local population goes a long way in soothing tension, even in a region like that one. After the elimination of Burhan Wani, Tral was the quietest area Major Rishi had ever handled, as no stone-pelting occurred there.
Major Rishi Nair (Service No. IC-72692W) was awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry for his gallantry and distinguished leadership.