Let’s remember sacrifice of Captain Nitin Chavan

Sumit Singh

Vishrantwadi, Pune – Captain Nitin Chavan of the Indian Army was born in Kalas, Pune on January 04, 1977. He laid down his life fighting militants in J&K on 13th September 1999.

The arch on the road next to Sawant Petrol pump on airport road in Vishrantwadi is in memory of Capt. NITIN CHAVAN.

He did his schooling from St.Joseph Boys’ School, Khadki, till Class 10 (1992 batch). He later graduated from Fergusson College, Pune in 1994. Later his family moved to Tingre Nagar near Vishrantwadi.

As he always wanted to join the Armed Forces, he pursued his dream after completing his schooling and got selected to join the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1994. He graduated from IMA and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 115 Engineer Regiment. Capt Nitin was posted to the J & K area after passing out and got opportunity to take part in live operations in the early part of his service career.

Rajouri Operation : Sept 13, 1999

During 1999, Capt Nitin Chavan’s unit was deployed in Rajouri Sector in Jammu & Kashmir, which was a terrorist infested area. Capt Nitin Chavan faced challenging situations on a regular basis and got opportunity to employ his field craft skills very often. On 13 Sep 1999, Capt Nitin Chavan was leading a patrol party in their area of operation. Around 1.45 PM , he observed a group of five militants near Majhiari Schooli, in Rajouri Sector, moving suspiciously. In no time Capt Nitin Chavan assessed the situation and in a tactical move divided his party into two groups and moved fast to engage the militants.

After a chase Capt Nitin Chavan and his troops could spot the militants in a maize field, who fired at them on being challenged. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter which continued for an hour. Capt Nitin Chavan soon spotted two militants who were firing at his troops and realized the need to neutralize them at the earliest. Capt Nitin Chavan decided to take on them and moved swiftly to pounce on them. The militants were taken aback by his dare devil action and started to fire indiscriminately, giving time to the troops to reorganize themselves.

However during this exchange of fire Capt Nitin Chavan got seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Later the reinforcement arrived and the operation continued to eliminate the terrorists. Capt Nitin Chavan like a true leader led from the front and was martyred in the highest traditions of the Army. Capt Nitin Chavan was a committed soldier and a fine officer who laid down his life in the service of the nation.

Capt Nitin Chavan is survived by his father Prakash Chavan, mother Rohini, sister Smita and brother Roshan.

(Details taken from honourpoint website).