Vikrant Sastry, SM

Biography

Major Vikrant Sastry was born on 19 May 1963 into an Army family. He completed his schooling at the Army Public School, Delhi, before graduating from Delhi University. He cleared the Combined Defence Services Examination and was commissioned into the 11 Mechanized Infantry Regiment in December 1985. Over the following decade, he served with distinction across various challenging postings, including counter-insurgency operations in the North East. He married Seema in September 1988, and the couple was blessed with a daughter, Aishwarya, born in 1994. On 3 May 1995, while leading counter-insurgency operations against Naga insurgents in the Cachar Hills of North East India, Major Sastry's unit walked into a pre-planned ambush laid by approximately fifty heavily-armed insurgents. Outnumbered but undeterred, he led his troops with exemplary courage, engaging the insurgents in a fierce firefight. In the intense exchange of fire, Major Sastry sustained fatal injuries and laid down his life in the highest tradition of the Indian Army. For his conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership, Major Vikrant Sastry was awarded the Sena Medal.