21 RR loses its second CO in three decades
   Date :04-May-2020

Ashutosh Sharma_1 &n
 
 
SRINAGAR :
 
IN ITS three decades of combating terrorism, the 21 Rashtriya Rifles Sunday lost only its second Commanding Officer (CO) on the line of duty when twice-decorated Colonel Ashutosh Sharma made the supreme sacrifice while rescuing civilians held hostage. Comprising officers and men from the Brigade of Guards, the 21 Rashtriya Rifles (21-RR) has earned the distinction of being called “Triple Centurions” for having killed over 300 terrorists. The battalion had lost its first Commanding Officer, Colonel Rajinder Chauhan, on August 21, 2000.
 
Twenty years later, it lost its second Commanding Officer in Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, who attained martyrdom Sunday morning while fighting terrorists at Changimulla in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district in North Kashmir. Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said the Colonel and his team bravely rescued civilians held hostage by terrorists in Changimulla village.
 
They gunned down the two terrorists in the encounter. Both the COs sacrificed their lives for the nation in the General Area of Rajwar forest, 80 kms from the summer capital of Srinagar, and a part of Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district in Kashmir. A recipient of Sena Medal twice as a CO in Kashmir, a rare feat, Col Sharma was remembered by his colleagues as the most jovial officer.