India's third-highest valour medal in peacetime, Shaurya Chakra posthumously has been awarded to Captain Ashutosh Kumar of 18 Madras Regiment for saving the life of a fellow soldier and eliminating a hardcore terrorist. The 24-year braveheart was killed in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir last year.
Captain Ashutosh Kumar from Bihar was stationed in the Kupwara district of J&K in November 2020, near the Line of Control (LOC).
As Captain Kumar's unit 18 Madras' AOR (Area of Operation) was impacted by active militancy, the unit's troops were constantly involved in counter-insurgency operations. The LOC remained active and volatile, with ceasefire violations occurring frequently and unexpectedly.
Apart from maintaining front positions in Kupwara district's Machil sector, Capt Ashutosh Kumar's unit also conducted operations to counter infiltration bids because its AOR was vulnerable to infiltration by militants from across the border.
One such infiltration attempt was documented by the BSF patrol near the anti-infiltration obstacle system around 3.5 kilometres from the LOC on November 8, 2020.
Soldiers from 18 Madras were rushed in to take on the infiltrators as the firefight intensified. Capt Ashutosh Kumar and his squad leapt into action to stop the militants from infiltrating the base. Capt Ashutosh Kumar strategically stationed his soldiers to block any possible escape routes and engaged them head-on. Three terrorists were killed in the ensuing violent gunfight.
During the exchange of fire, however, Capt Ashutosh Kumar and four of his comrades were critically hurt by gunshots. Later, Capt Ashutosh Kumar and two other soldiers- Hav Praveen Kumar and Rifleman Ryada Maheshwar, were martyred as a result of their injuries.
Capt Ashutosh Kumar was a brave soldier and a brilliant commander who commanded from the front and, at the age of 24 laid down his life in the line of duty.
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Born in Parmanpur village of Bihar's Madhepura on October 15, 1996, Capt Ashutosh was selected for the prestigious NDA after finishing high school. At the age of 21, he went to IMA Dehradun and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in June 2018.
He was commissioned into the Madras Regiment's 18 Madras, an infantry regiment renowned for its fearless warriors and many battle victories. As a young Lieutenant, his first posting was in the J&K sector. He quickly matured into a dedicated soldier and an excellent officer with superior field-craft abilities.
He is survived by his father- Shri Ravindra Yadav, mother- Smt Geeta Devi, and sisters- Khushboo and Anshu.
Five other army personal- Major Arun Kumar Pandey, Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary, Captain Vikas Khatri, Rifleman Mukesh Kumar, and Sepoy Neeraj Ahlawat- have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, along with Captain Ashutosh Kumar.