Kanwar Jaideep Singh Salaria, SC, SM

Biography

Born on 18 July 1961 in Pangoli village, Punjab, Kanwar Jaideep Singh Salaria was the son of Colonel Randhir Singh, an Army veteran, and Smt Puro Devi. Inspired by his father, he aspired from childhood to serve in the armed forces. He completed his schooling at St Joseph's Convent, Pathankot, and graduated from SD College, Pathankot. After clearing the Combined Defence Services examination, he trained at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned in 1983 at the age of 22 into 5 Dogra of the Dogra Regiment. As a company commander he led his troops with distinction in operations in the North-East, eliminating several militants. As a Major he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra in 1997 for his gallantry in a counter-terrorism operation, and was later honoured with the Sena Medal. In March 2002 he assumed command of 6 Dogra, deployed in the militancy-affected Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir along the Line of Control. On 18 August 2002, during an operation in the Naushera Sector, his reconnaissance patrol encountered armed infiltrators. Colonel Kanwar led the assault, rescued a wounded soldier under fire, and killed two militants before being fatally shot in the neck. For his valour and supreme sacrifice he was awarded a second Shaurya Chakra.