Alok Mathur, SM

Biography

Major Alok Mathur was born on 14 September 1969 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, into a military family, the son of Captain R S Mathur and Smt Madhu Mathur. Owing to his father's frequent postings, he studied in various places including Panchmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Jammu, before joining the Sainik School at Chittorgarh, where the foundation of his armed forces training was laid. He went on to the prestigious National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1990. Posted after commissioning to a unit deployed in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, he swiftly honed his field craft and evolved into a dedicated soldier and fine officer. He later completed the commando course and earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the College of EME at Pune. He served on deputation to Afghanistan twice as part of an Indian Army contingent. Promoted to Major in 2001, he was subsequently posted to command a unit in Arunachal Pradesh. By 2003 Major Mathur was commanding the 85 RCC unit deployed in a remote and inaccessible area of Arunachal Pradesh, where the region was infested with militants. On 7 October 2003, while moving to an operational location in the Kameng area, eight militants launched a pre-planned attack with automatic weapons from the cover of thick jungle foliage. Despite the surprise, Major Mathur quickly assessed the situation and deployed his troops for a befitting response. During the fierce gun battle he was wounded in his right hand, but though bleeding profusely he continued to lead from the front and direct fire until he collapsed. Airlifted to a nearby Army hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. For his courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice, Major Alok Mathur was awarded the Sena Medal.