Shashikant Sharma, SM

Biography

Captain Shashikant Sharma was born on 1 March into a military family, the son of Flight Lieutenant J. P. Sharma of the Indian Air Force and Smt. Sudesh Sharma. Inspired by his father, he aspired from childhood to serve in the armed forces. His dream was realised when he was selected for the National Defence Academy, and he earned several distinctions during his training at the NDA, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. On 10 June 1995 he was commissioned into the 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, a regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers and many battle honours. In October 1998 he was deployed on the Saltoro Ridge, part of the Siachen Glacier sector, the world's highest battlefield, as commander of the strategically vital Bana Post above 21,000 feet. On the night of 3 October 1998, Pakistani forces unleashed heavy fire on the post. Captain Sharma led a counter-attack, suffering grievous wounds to his right thigh and abdomen. Undeterred, he continued to direct fire and defend his post. On the morning of 5 October 1998 he was struck in the forehead and made the supreme sacrifice. For his courage and devotion to duty, he was awarded the Sena Medal.