Army honours Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey, martyred in Baramulla op
Synopsis
Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey of the 32 Rashtriya Rifles lost his life during a night patrol in Baramulla's dense Rafiabad forest — not in a firefight, but in the equally unforgiving terrain of North Kashmir's upper forest belts. The Chinar Corps has paid tribute and pledged support to his family.
Key Takeaways
Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey of 32 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred on 12 May during operational duty in Baramulla district , North Kashmir.
He reportedly slipped and fell into a deep gorge while navigating steep terrain during a night patrol in the Markoot Hamam forest area of Rafiabad.
Fellow soldiers evacuated him, but he succumbed to critical injuries on the spot.
The Chinar Corps confirmed the incident on social media platform X and pledged support to the bereaved family.
Officials have classified the incident as accidental ; local police have registered a case in connection with the fall.
The Indian Army on Tuesday, 12 May paid tribute to Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey of the 32 Rashtriya Rifles, who lost his life while on operational duty in the Baramulla district of North Kashmir. The Chinar Corps, headquartered in Srinagar, confirmed the supreme sacrifice of the junior commissioned officer (JCO) and extended condolences to his bereaved family.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to official sources, security forces launched a special operation late on Sunday night in the Markoot Hamam forest area, located in the upper reaches of Rafiabad in Baramulla district. During the night patrol through the dense and rugged terrain, Naib Subedar Pandey reportedly lost his balance while climbing a steep mountainous slope and fell into a deep gorge. Fellow soldiers immediately launched a rescue effort and managed to evacuate him from the site. However, he had sustained critical injuries and succumbed on the spot, officials confirmed.
Army's Official Statement
The Srinagar-headquartered Chinar Corps posted a tribute on social media platform X, stating:
Point of View
Yet the infrastructure for safe navigation in such extreme conditions deserves scrutiny. The Army's swift public tribute and pledge of family support reflects institutional protocol, but the broader question of equipment and safety standards for high-altitude night operations remains one that rarely surfaces in public discourse.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey?
Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey was a junior commissioned officer (JCO) serving with the 32 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army. He was martyred on 12 May during an operational night patrol in the Baramulla district of North Kashmir.
How did Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey die?
He reportedly slipped while navigating steep mountainous terrain during a night patrol in the Markoot Hamam forest area of Rafiabad, Baramulla, and fell into a deep gorge. He sustained critical injuries and succumbed on the spot; officials have classified the incident as accidental.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident occurred in the Markoot Hamam forest area in the upper reaches of Rafiabad, located in Baramulla district of North Kashmir — a region known for its dense, rugged terrain where security forces conduct frequent night patrols.
What did the Chinar Corps say about the martyrdom?
The Chinar Corps posted a tribute on social media platform X, honouring the 'supreme sacrifice' of Naib Subedar Pandey and stating that his 'courage and dedication will forever inspire us.' It also pledged solidarity with and commitment to the well-being of his bereaved family.
What action has been taken following the incident?
Army authorities have initiated necessary procedural steps following the death. Local police have registered a case in connection with the fall, and the incident has been officially classified as accidental.
