Harsh Udai Singh Gaur, AC

Biography

Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Udai Singh Gaur was born on 1 July 1953 in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. He received his early education in his hometown and graduated from CM Nehru College in 1972. He was commissioned into the Bihar Regiment on 12 May 1974. An alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he also served as an instructor at the Infantry School. By 1994 he had completed nearly twenty years of service and had grown into a battle-hardened soldier and fine officer, and was appointed Commanding Officer of 10 Bihar Regiment, then deployed on counter-terrorist operations in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. On 29 November 1994, his unit received intelligence about the presence of ten to twelve terrorists in Bajipura village. Deciding to lead the cordon-and-search operation himself, Lt Col Gaur advanced under heavy fire when a fierce gun battle erupted around 0700 hours. He repositioned his men to seal escape routes, pressed forward, and gunned down three terrorists. Moving to neutralise a machine gun firing from behind a rock, he lobbed a grenade that killed another terrorist and silenced the weapon. In the intense exchange he was grievously wounded and laid down his life. For his exceptional courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.