Vishal Chaudhary, SM

Biography

Sepoy Vishal Chaudhary was born on 4 April 1986 in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. He joined the Indian Army in 2004 and was assigned to the 18 Jat Regiment, a unit renowned for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle honours. Over nearly twelve years of service he matured into a dedicated and committed soldier. He was later deputed to the 61 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-terrorism operations. In 2016, his unit was stationed in the Nowgam sector, engaged in regular operations against militants. On the night of 29 July 2016, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the valley from across the border. In the early hours of 30 July, troops detected unusual movement and cordoned off the area. Sepoy Vishal Chaudhary was part of the team tasked with countering the intruders. When challenged, the militants opened fire, triggering a fierce gunfight. Though seriously wounded, Sepoy Vishal continued to engage the enemy and gunned down one terrorist on the spot. He was evacuated to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. For his courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Sena Medal.