Ayush Yadav

Biography

Captain Ayush Yadav hailed from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and was born on 24 August 1991. The son of a UP Police inspector, he was drawn to the armed forces from childhood. After completing his schooling at St Joseph's School in Kanpur, he cleared the Combined Defence Services examination and joined the Indian Military Academy on 30 December 2012 as part of the 134th course. Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery at the age of 22, he took great pride in being a gunner. A keen boxer during his school days, he was a committed soldier admired by seniors and subordinates alike. In 2017 he was serving with 310 Medium Regiment, deployed at the army garrison at Panzgam in Kupwara district, one of the most infiltration-prone sectors along the Line of Control. On 27 April 2017, three armed terrorists cut through the perimeter fencing before dawn, hurled grenades and opened indiscriminate fire towards the residential quarters. Awakened by the gunfire, Captain Ayush grabbed his weapon and engaged the terrorists head-on. Though hit and grievously wounded, he refused to let them advance and bought the quick reaction team crucial time. He succumbed to his injuries at the age of 25, laying down his life in the service of the nation.