Sandeep Shankla, AC

Biography

Captain Sandeep Shankla was born on 3 January 1964 in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, the son of army veteran Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Kanwar and Mrs Manju Kanwar. Inspired by his father from childhood, he was determined to follow in his footsteps and join the armed forces. After completing his graduation, he trained at the prestigious Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 14 June 1986 at the age of 22 into the 18 Dogra battalion of the Dogra Regiment. He rose to Lieutenant in 1988 and Captain in 1991. In 1991 his unit was deployed for counter-insurgency operations in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir. On 8 August 1991, acting on reliable intelligence about the presence of militants in Zafarkhani village, Captain Sandeep led a search-and-destroy operation. When challenged, the militants opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle. He crawled forward to pull an injured soldier to safety and killed one militant. When another hurled two grenades at him, he threw one back with indomitable courage, though he was struck by splinters and a bullet. He fought on until he lost consciousness and later succumbed to his injuries. The operation he led eliminated nine militants and led to the capture of twenty-two others. For his outstanding courage and supreme sacrifice, Captain Sandeep Shankla was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.