Hardhan Chandra Roy

Biography

Havaldar Hardhan Chandra Roy hailed from Phutukibari-Medhipara in the Dhubri district of Assam. Born in 1982 to Shri Tankeshwar Roy and Smt Anima Roy, he had an inclination to serve in the Army from his younger days. After completing his school education, he joined the Army at the age of nineteen and was recruited into the 59 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, an important combat arm of the Indian Army. Over years of service, he rose to the rank of Havaldar and matured into a battle-hardened soldier and a dependable non-commissioned officer. He served in various operational areas, gathering substantial field experience along the way. By November 2020, his unit had been deployed in the Uri sector of Jammu & Kashmir, where the troops were manning forward posts along the Line of Control. The LOC remained highly active and volatile, with Pakistani forces frequently resorting to ceasefire violations in breach of the 2003 agreement, despite repeated calls for restraint during flag meetings. On 13 November 2020, Pakistan Army troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian posts across the border in the Uri sector of Baramulla district, using mortars and other weapons. Havaldar Hardhan Chandra Roy was manning one of the forward posts along the Line of Control when the Indian Army responded in a befitting manner, and a heavy exchange of fire ensued, continuing intermittently for several hours. During this exchange, he and his comrade Gunner Subodh Ghosh sustained multiple splinter injuries. Despite being provided immediate medical aid and evacuated to the nearest military medical facility, Havaldar Hardhan Chandra Roy succumbed to his injuries. A valiant soldier and committed NCO, he laid down his life in the line of duty.