Suresh Chand Yadav

Subedar Major (Assistant Commander Grade I) Suresh Chand Yadav, AC was an Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer with the Mahar Regiment and an Officer in 51 SAG NSG who was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime military decoration Ashoka Chakra for his gallant act in Operation Vajra Shakti.

Subedar Major (Assistant Commander Grade I)

Suresh Chand Yadav

Born(1961-06-01)1 June 1961
Alwar, Rajasthan, India
Died25 September 2002(2002-09-25) (aged 41)
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1979-2002
RankSubedar Major (Assistant Commander Grade I)
Service numberJC-56816ZM
Unit13 Mahar
National Security Guard
Battles/warsOperation Vajra Shakti
AwardsAshoka Chakra ribbon.svg Ashoka Chakra

On 25 September 2002, he laid down his life in Operation Vajra Shakti while fighting terrorists at the Akshardham temple in Gujarat.[1]

Early lifeEdit

He was born in Khatan Khera, Alwar, Rajasthan on 1 July 1961. Shri Gokul Ram Yadav was his father and Smt Dodi Devi was his mother.

Military careerEdit

He was enrolled in the 13 Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army in 1979. He had joined the 51 NSG SAG since December 2001.

Operation Vajra ShaktiEdit

On 24 September 2002, two armed terrorists entered into the Akshardham Swamy Narayan Temple, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. They started heavy fire. The terrorists killed 30 people and injured over 10 people present in the complex. In this situation, NSG was given the responsibility.[2] Assistant Commander Grade I Suresh Chand Yadav was a part of this Operation. He was leading a group of Commandos to distract the terrorists and provide cover to other Commandos who were advancing to attack the terrorists. The terrorists were in under cover of darknes. Meanwhile one commando had got a gunshot, Yadav without caring his personal safety, moved forward under heavy fire and evacuated the commando safely. His Team Commander was also pinned down by accurate and heavy fire. Yadav crawled forward to give cover fire to his team Commander. He established contact with his team Commander. He lobbed grenades and fired at the terrorist. He came under direct fire of the terrorists. For his courageous act the rest of the team safely towards the terrorists in order to neutralize them. He received a fire direct on to his face seriously wounding him when he was five meters away from the terrorist. Despite bleeding profusely, he killed the terrorist in close quarter. He succumbed to his injuries and sacrifice his life for nation.[3][4]

Ashoka Chakra awardeeEdit

For his bravery, raw courage, extraordinary leadership and sacrifice for nation in Operation Vajra Shakti, Subedar Major (Assistant Commander Grade I) Suresh Chand Yadav was awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashoka Chakra. He is survived by his mother Smt Dodi Devi, father Shri Gokul Ram Yadav, wife Smt Chandra and three children named Sunita, Manoj Kumar and Sandeep Singh.[5][6]

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. "Akshardham hero honoured with Ashok Chakra". The Times of India. 26 Jan 2003.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "3 hurdles that cramped commandos". The Telegraph. 25 September 2002.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Aggarwal, Rashmi (January 0101). Ashoka Chakra Recipient.
  4. "Suresh Chand Yadav". National Security Guard.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "494 armed forces personnel selected for awards". The Tribune. 26 January 2003.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Subedar Major (Assistant Commandant) Suresh Chand Yadav". Gallantry Awards.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)