Ashok Kumar (soldier)

Ashok Kumar was a Pakistani Hindu soldier who served in the Pakistan Army and was reported to have been killed during military operations in Waziristan in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the civilian gallantry award Tamgha-i-Shujaat in recognition of his sacrifice. He is considered as the first Pakistani Hindu who sacrificed his life in the Pakistan Army, as Hindus were not allowed to join the army before 2000.

Military career

Kumar served as a soldier in the Pakistan Army and was deployed in operations against militants in the Waziristan region of northwest Pakistan. He died in action in 2013 while performing his duties with the armed forces.

Recognition

In March 2015, the Government of Pakistan conferred the Tamgha-i-Shujaat award on Ashok Kumar for his gallantry and sacrifice. His award has been mentioned in commentary about the participation and recognition of religious minorities in Pakistan's armed forces.

Recognition dispute

After Ashok Kumar's death in 2013, a public discussion arose regarding why official statements did not refer to him as a shaheed, a term commonly used in Pakistan for soldiers killed in action. According to reports, he was instead referred to with the prefix late and awarded the civilian medal Tamgha‑i‑Shujaat. Critics, including members of Pakistan's Hindu community and civil society commentators, argued that all soldiers should be equally recognized regardless of religion. The debate highlighted concerns about the recognition of religious minority personnel in the Pakistan Armed Forces and the use of traditional honorifics such as shaheed.