Beyond the battlefield: The Shubham I knew

Captain Shubham Gupta was a dynamic individual. Although my meeting with the young officer was brief, it was more than enough to let me know about Capt Shubham’s personality. “Where are you from?”, a young face full of beard inquired as I stood in front of the officer’s mess at 9 Para’s unit headquarters in Udhampur. “I am Yuvraj from Republic News Network, here to meet my training JCO from my days in NCC,” I replied. “Who?”, the young man in the new army camo uniform asked further. “Subedar Sierra saab (Identity kept anonymous),” I replied. That is when the officer standing in front of me introduced himself as Captain Shubham Gupta. “Nice to meet you Yuvraj, I am Shubham,” he said as we shook hands. For the next few days, I would meet Captain Shubham at regular intervals at the headquarters.

At the headquarters of the 9th Battalion Parachute Regiment in Udhampur, Captain Shubham, like his brethren in arms, used to start his day with the early morning BPET (Battle Physical Efficiency Test), carrying his weapon, an Israeli IWI Tavor bullpup assault rifle along with his battle load. Following the BPET and breakfast, the day would usually be spent on paperwork, related to the army’s logistics and SF deployment throughout the Kashmir valley. Officers in Special Forces units are often occupied with war planning, delving into the tactics used by their predecessors in various operations, making contingencies, studying the terrain in detail and awaiting orders that would lead them to the battlefield.

‘Men apart, every man an emperor’

The camaraderie of the 9 Para (SF) unfolded with each evening. In the evening, the men engage in sports, generally football and rub shoulders. This includes all ranks- NCOs, JCOs and officers. Indian Army’s Special Forces are known not to discriminate based on rank. Rather, even officers have to first prove themselves worthy on the battlefield to earn the trust of the men they command.

The evenings at the battalion headquarters post 8 PM would usually include drinks, snacks and light music, an activity equivalent to limbering down after a heavy workout. This was a tradition. Here, Captain Shubham's love for music came to the forefront and the officer let his inner artist loose. Unbeknownst to many, music was one of the hobbies of the young officer. Even though the 27-year-old was serving with the elite 9 Para (SF), also known as ‘Mountain Rats’ and ‘Ghosts’, that too in a hostile zone, Capt Shubham would never shy away from singing his favourite songs and sharing cherished moments with his men.

On other days, Captain Shubham could be spotted in the evening at the HQ’s firing range, sharpening his warfighting skills. Needless to say, I found the ‘Ghost Operators’ (A term used for SF operatives from 9 Para) to be some of the most grounded men I've ever come across. During my stay at the headquarters, the men were generous enough to show me bullet and shrapnel injuries they sustained during various counter-terrorism operations.

The thing which struck me the most was the casualness in their voice when they narrated the chain of events leading up to those injuries. It was the moment I realized why special forces are ‘special’. My brief stay with these covert operatives has left a mark on me. I gained insights into jungle and mountain warfare, ambush, CASO and SADO. But most importantly, I learnt how one can conquer everything against all odds only if he's able to conquer his brain first. “This is the key to that 'Never-say-Die' attitude,” my training JCO told me on the day of my departure.

I never knew that just three months following my departure from the esteemed unit’s headquarters, the young and dynamic Captain Shubham Gupta would immortalize himself fighting for the nation. In true terms, the officer kept service before self and his promise, “Balidan Param Dharma,” at the forefront. Captain Shubham Gupta was not just a Special Forces officer; he was a vibrant soul who left an indelible mark on those who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.