Subedar Narad Prasad Yadav

Subedar Narad Prasad Yadav hailed from Mirzapur village in Manihari tehsil of Katihar district, Bihar. He was born on 01 May 1961 to Shri Ambika Prasad Yadav and Smt. Ajnaro Devi. Having completed his school education, he joined the Indian Army on 19 December 1978, embarking on a career dedicated to the service of the nation. He was recruited into the 9 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its courage, fighting spirit and distinguished record of service. The Bihar Regiment was raised in 1941 through the reorganisation of existing military units and the formation of new battalions. Since its inception, the Regiment has participated in several significant military campaigns, including the Second World War and the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971. Over the years, it has earned a distinguished reputation for its valour and professionalism, upholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army.

Following his recruitment into the Indian Army, he underwent military training and gradually developed the skills, discipline, and professional competence required of an infantry soldier. During his subsequent years of service, he served in various operational areas, gaining valuable field experience and strengthening his military capabilities. After serving in the Army for a few years, he married Ms Sulochana Devi. The couple was blessed with a daughter Radhika and three sons, namely Raj Kumar, Chandan Kumar, and Ajay Kumar. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he remained devoted to his family, who formed an important part of his life and provided him with strength and support throughout his military career. Through his dedication and perseverance, he steadily progressed through the ranks and, by 2005, had attained the rank of Subedar.  

Poonch Operation: 02 Oct 2005

In October 2005, Sub Narad Prasad Yadav’s unit, 9 Bihar Battalion, was deployed in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. The region was highly sensitive due to persistent militant activity and its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC). The possibility of cross-border infiltration and the threat of militant attacks required the troops to remain vigilant and conduct regular patrols and search operations to prevent infiltration and maintain security in the area. On 02 October 2005, acting on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the Mendhar sector, troops of 9 Bihar launched a search-and-destroy operation to locate and neutralise the militants. Sub Narad Prasad Yadav, an experienced soldier with nearly 27 years of service in the Indian Army, was part of the operational team, alongside Subedar RP Choudhary and Havildar Ram Singh Yadav. The troops advanced towards the suspected location and began a cordon-and-search operation to establish the presence of the terrorists and prevent their escape.

During the operation, the troops made contact with the terrorists, who opened fire when challenged. A fierce gunfight ensued as the soldiers retaliated and attempted to contain the militants within the cordoned area. As the exchange of fire intensified, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing in an attempt to break through the cordon. Amid the heavy crossfire, Sub Narad Prasad Yadav, Subedar RP Choudhary and Havildar Ram Singh Yadav sustained fatal injuries and made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Their actions during the operation reflected the risks routinely faced by soldiers deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Subedar Narad Prasad Yadav is survived by his daughter, Smt. Radhika Kumari, and his sons, Shri Raj Kumar Yadav, Shri Chandan Kumar Yadav, and Shri Ajay Kumar Yadav.