Sandeep Sankhla

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Captain

Sandeep Shankla

AC
Born(1964-01-03)3 January 1964
Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Died8 August 1991(1991-08-08) (aged 27)
Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1986-1991
Rank Captain
Service numberIC-43956K
Unit18 DOGRA
Awards Ashoka Chakra

Captain Sandeep Shankla (3 January 1964 – 8 August 1991) was an Indian Army officer who was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, for acts in Jammu and Kashmir.[1]

Early life

Shankla was born in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, he was the son of an army veteran, Lt Col J.S. Kanwar, and Manju Kanwar.[2]

Military career

From childhood, Shankla wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and join the armed forces. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 14 June 1986 into 18 Dogra Regiment.[3][4] He was promoted lieutenant on 14 June 1988 and to captain on 14 June 1991, less than two months before his death.[5][6]

Kupwara operation

During 1991, Captain Sandeep Shankla’s unit, 18 Dogra was deployed in Kupwara of the J & K area for anti-insurgency operations. On 8 Aug 1991, Captain Sandeep Shankla’s unit had received credible information from intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Zafarkhani village in Kupwara district. A decision was taken by the security forces to launch a search and destroy operation to nab the terrorists under the leadership of Capt Sandeep Shankla. Capt Sandeep along with his soldiers reached the suspected area and launched a search and cordon operation. The terrorists fired at the troops on being cornered and challenged. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire from both sides. During the crossfire, one of the soldiers got injured and Capt Sandeep realizing the danger to his life crawled and dragged him to safety while eliminating one terrorist. The other terrorist then lobbed two grenades at Capt Sandeep, but in a rare show of courage, he hurled one of the grenades back at the attackers. However, during this process, Capt Sandeep sustained splinter and bullet injuries. But he kept engaging with the enemy till he lost his consciousness. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. The operation led by Capt Sandeep resulted in the elimination of 9 terrorists and in addition 22 of them were apprehended. Capt Sandeep was a valiant soldier and a gritty officer who led from the front like a true military leader.[7] Married just 6 months earlier, Capt Sandeep laid down his life at the age of 27 years, in the service of the nation.[8]

Ashoka Chakra awards

Captain Sandeep Shankla was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, "Ashok Chakra" for his outstanding courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.[9] He is survived by his father Lt Col JS. Kanwar (retd), mother Smt Manju Kanwar and a younger brother.[10][11]

Legacy

The Panchkula municipal corporation has renamed the Sector 2 roundabout as Shaheed Major Sandeep Sankhla chowk.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ "Awards list". gallantryawards.gov.in.
  2. ^ "A fighter who displayed camaraderie of highest order". The Tribune. 9 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Captain Sandeep Shankla: जांबाजी की वह दास्तां जो बन गई मिसाल, आज ही के दिन हुई थी शहादत". Sirf Sach. 8 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 29 October 1988. p. 1587.
  5. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 14 October 1989. p. 1550.
  6. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 22 August 1992. p. 1442.
  7. ^ "Rich tributes paid to Major Sandeep Shankla". Times of India. 9 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Major Sandeep Shankla And His Men Finished Nine Terrorists But Major Didn't Return". Defence Lover. 2 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Sandeep Sankhla". Gallantry Awards Government.
  10. ^ "Tributes paid to Kargil War heroes". The Tribune. 25 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Veterans celebrate Kargil Diwas at Shaheed Major Sandeep Sankhla memorial". The Hindustan Times. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Lt Gen G S Dhillon , CoS HQWC paying tribute to Late Maj Sandeep Sankla on his martyrdom day". Chandigarh City News.
  13. ^ "Panchkula Sector 2 roundabout renamed as Shaheed Major Sandeep Sankhla chowk". The Times of India.