Indian Army
Rajendra Singh Yadav, SM, VSM
Lance Naik · 18 Grenadiers
Date of Birth
16 November 1969
Balidan Diwas
30 May 1999
Place of Supreme Sacrifice
Tololing, Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir
State of Origin
Khargone, Madhya Pradesh
Service Number
2681263
Unit / Regiment
18 Grenadiers
Operation
Operation Vijay
War / Conflict
Kargil War
Biography
Rajendra Singh Yadav was born on 16 November 1969 in Ghugariakhedi village of Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh, to farmer parents Ramlal and Kadavibai Yadav. He joined the 18 Grenadiers in 1985 and served the regiment with distinction. During Operation Vijay in the Kargil War, his unit was tasked with assaulting a heavily fortified enemy position at Tololing, perched at nearly 15,000 feet. On 30 May 1999, in the fierce Battle of Tololing, Lance Naik Yadav charged the enemy bunkers under withering fire and killed five enemy soldiers before succumbing to his injuries. His courage and supreme sacrifice paved the way for the eventual capture of Point 4590, a turning point in the Kargil campaign. For his conspicuous gallantry, Lance Naik Rajendra Singh Yadav was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal. The village panchayat erected a memorial in his honour, and Indore University posthumously conferred upon him a Bachelor of Arts degree.