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From the height of militancy in 2016 to the relative calm of today, the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) has stood as one of the most formidable counter-terrorism units operating in South Kashmir. Once considered the epicentre of insurgency, the Areas of districts of Shopian and Pulwama—breeding grounds of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—were systematically reclaimed through a blend of precise operations, strategic intelligence, and community engagement, led by the relentless spirit of 44 RR.
The unit’s modern journey began amid the post–Burhan Wani turbulence, when radicalization and local recruitment surged to unprecedented levels. Amid political ambiguity and rising violence, 44 RR, under the leadership of Colonel D.S. Negi and Brigadier Harbir Singh, re-established Company Operating Bases (COBs) in high-threat zones, including Chillipora Spn, a location near the native villages of top HM and LeT commanders. These forward deployments formed the backbone of Operation All Out, as the battalion began dismantling terror networks piece by piece across Shopian and a few areas of Pulwama.
In 2017, the battalion achieved a landmark success by eliminating Talha Rasheed, the nephew of JeM chief Masood Azhar, in the Aglar encounter—a strike that resonated from the Valley to across the border. This success, however, made 44 RR a primary target of Pakistan-sponsored terror. Between 2018 and 2019, the unit survived multiple IED attacks in Arihal, Sugan & Heff, also many attacks, proving its resilience and tactical discipline under fire.
The year 2018 marked another turning point. The battalion neutralized Saddam Padder, the Hizbul “poster boy” of Shopian and a key member of the Burhan Group, effectively collapsing the core of local militancy in the region. In April same year , Major Rohit Shukla, the Company Commander of Shadimarg COB (Cheetah Company), became the face of 44 RR’s fearless ethos. When HM terrorist Sameer Tiger released a video threatening Major Shukla, the officer responded not with words but with action. Within two hours of the video release, Major Shukla, alongside his buddy Rifleman Aurangzeb, executed an operation that eliminated Sameer Tiger and another HM militant—an act that restored dominance and broke the militant propaganda chain across Shopian and a few areas of Pulwama.
Despite the bravery displayed, the then state government’s political posture leaned towards appeasement of separatist sentiments. In one instance, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti attempted to misrepresent Major Shukla’s actions in the media. Yet, the officer’s composure and professionalism stood firm, reaffirming the Army’s ethos that courage and integrity are immune to politics. His legacy, built on precision and resolve, remains etched in 44 RR’s proud history.
The courage of Rifleman Aurangzeb became an eternal symbol of sacrifice. Abducted and killed by HM and JeM terrorists while travelling home for Eid, Aurangzeb upheld operational secrecy till his last breath, refusing to reveal a single detail of Source’s. His bravery under captivity transformed him into a living slogan for every soldier of the 44 RR—proof that duty and honour transcend fear and death.
Between 2019 and mid-2022, Colonel A.K. Singh led the battalion through one of the most politically and operationally sensitive phases—the abrogation of Article 370. Under the strategic vision of Victor Force GOC Major General Rashim Bali and 15 Corps Commander Lieutenant General D.P. Panday, 44 RR redefined its mission beyond counter-terrorism by integrating community outreach with security operations. Programs such as Jashn-e-Janoob and Jashn-e-Chilla Kalan, both organized in Shopian, became turning points in restoring public confidence. These youth-centric initiatives were widely recognized by intelligence agencies as model civic engagement efforts in post-conflict zones, extending peace to Shopian and few areas of Pulwama.
From mid-2022 to mid-2024, the command passed to Colonel Gaurav Dixit, who further consolidated peace through precision operations and human intelligence integration. His tenure was marked by continued elimination of residual threats and a focus on re-engaging civil society, earning him strong commendations from both Army and intelligence channels. Under his leadership, the battalion strengthened its Area of Responsibility (AOR) across Shopian and a few areas of Pulwama, ensuring no space for militancy to re-emerge.
Since mid-2024, Colonel Jaspreet Singh Randhawa has carried the torch of excellence, combining operational dominance with grassroots outreach. Under his leadership, the Formidable Cricket League, organized by the Shadimarg COB under its Company Commander, became a massive success. The same valleys that once echoed with gunfire now resonate with cheers from cricket fields, symbolizing the transformation achieved through relentless effort and trust-building. The overwhelming public participation in these events reflects a decisive psychological shift—from fear to faith, from militancy to normalcy—throughout Shopian and a few areas of Pulwama.
The impact of 44 Rashtriya Rifles has been so profound that today, both local terrorists (LTs) and foreign terrorists (FTs) consciously avoid entering the battalion’s Area of Responsibility in Shopian and a few areas of Pulwama. The sheer fear of precise and relentless operations has created an invisible deterrence across the region. Such has been the operational dominance of 44 RR that it has crossed the century mark in militant eliminations, each encounter executed with surgical accuracy and complete adherence to the Army’s code of ethics.
Through relentless courage, disciplined intelligence, and unwavering commitment, 44 RR has transformed the once volatile landscapes of Shopian and few areas of Pulwama into zones of peace and progress. Its success stands as living testimony to how resolve, strategy, and the will to serve the nation can redefine counter-insurgency excellence. From Colonel D.S. Negi to Colonel Jaspreet Singh Randhawa, every officer, JCO, and jawan has contributed to building a legacy that is both operationally brilliant and morally unshakeable. The battalion stands today not merely as a fighting unit but as a living institution of courage and professionalism.
For the Indian Army and the intelligence fraternity, 44 Rashtriya Rifles is more than a number—it is a symbol of brilliance, discipline, and determination, a force that redefined counter-terrorism in South Kashmir and turned the once volatile heartland of Shopian and few areas of Pulwama into symbols of stability and national resilience.
“ Mera Buddy Mera Bhai”
About the Author:
Murtaza Ali, Counter Terrorism & Counter Intelligence Analyst. He writes on grassroots governance, defence strategy, and counter-insurgency developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
Twitter Handle id : @Themurtazabhat
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.