Nilesh Soni

Biography

Captain Nilesh Soni was born on 13th July 1962 in Viramgam near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, into the family of Mr Harjivenbhai Chatrabhuji Soni and Mrs Kalavatiben Soni. He completed his early schooling at Shishuvihar Balmandir and CN Vidyalay in Ahmedabad before joining Sainik School, Balachadi, near Jamnagar, where he studied up to Class XII. It was at Sainik School that he was inspired to serve in the Armed Forces, and he went on to clear the National Defence Academy examination. After his training, Nilesh Soni was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 62 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery on 9th June 1984. Following a year of service at Deolali in Nashik, he was promoted to Lieutenant and moved with his unit to the Kargil area, serving across Kargil, Leh and other remote border regions of Jammu & Kashmir. In December 1986 he was posted to the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, where winter temperatures plummet to between -45 and -55 degrees. He served for three months on a forward post at an altitude of around 6,400 metres. During early 1987, Captain Nilesh Soni braved the hostile weather and enemy fire across the undefined frontier. On the night of 12th February 1987, around midnight, he and his soldiers detected suspicious movement in their area of control, and a fierce gun battle ensued with heavy small-arms fire and artillery shelling from the enemy — a clearly well-planned assault. As the Indian troops responded, an enemy shell struck the mountain behind their post, triggering a deadly avalanche. Captain Nilesh Soni was buried under tons of snow and could not be rescued in time due to the harsh weather and relentless enemy firing. He laid down his life for the nation before turning twenty-five, remembered as a dedicated soldier and a fine officer.