2nd Lt Dharampal Yadav

Second Lieutenant Dharampal Yadav hailed from Sihma village in Narnaul Tehsil of Mahendragarh district, Haryana, a region known for its strong martial traditions and its proud contribution to the Indian Armed Forces. Growing up in this environment, 2nd Lt Dharampal developed a deep admiration for the men in uniform. What began as a simple fascination soon evolved into a steadfast dream—to serve the nation as an Indian Army officer. Determined to turn this aspiration into reality, he set his sights on the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE). With discipline and unwavering dedication, he prepared rigorously for the exam, balancing academic commitment with physical fitness. His efforts bore fruit when he successfully cleared the examination, earning a coveted seat at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. At OTA, he joined the SS–10 Course, embarking on what would be one of the most transformative journeys of his life. The training was intense and comprehensive—ranging from demanding physical conditioning to advanced tactical drills, weapon training, fieldcraft, map reading, endurance exercises, and leadership development modules. Every aspect of the curriculum was crafted to mould young cadets into competent, resilient, and decisive leaders capable of performing under extreme pressure.

After months of relentless training, the proud day arrived. On 14 March 1971, he passed out from OTA, marching on the parade ground with confidence and honour. Along with 337 course-mates, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant—a moment that marked the fulfilment of his long-cherished dream and the beginning of a life dedicated to service before self. He was commissioned into the 14th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the oldest, most battle-hardened, and highly decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The Kumaon Regiment carries a legacy of extraordinary courage, discipline, and sacrifice across multiple wars and operations. Being part of such a renowned regiment was both a privilege and a responsibility—one that 2nd Lt Dharampal Yadav accepted with pride and complete commitment.

Indo-Pak War (Eastern Sector): Nov 1971

In November 1971, as the subcontinent moved closer to full-scale war, 14 Kumaon was deployed to the Eastern Sector in anticipation of imminent hostilities. The overall responsibility for operations in this region rested with Eastern Command, which was tasked with destroying enemy forces and securing the major portion of East Pakistan. Under Eastern Command, the Eastern theatre was divided among several formations. 14 Kumaon came under the operational control of IV Corps, which was responsible for major objectives in the Eastern Sector, including the capture of Maulvi Bazar, Sylhet, Daudkandi–Mynamati, the Lalmai Hills–Laksham area, and ultimately Chandpur. This deployment positioned 14 Kumaon as an integral part of the Eastern offensive, contributing to the coordinated effort that led to the decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.  Among the young officers preparing for operations was Second Lieutenant Dharampal Yadav, who was then commanding No. 11 Platoon of D Company. Despite being one of the youngest officers in the battalion, he carried responsibilities that demanded exceptional tactical skill, stamina, and courage.

On 24 November 1971, at 1800 hours, D Company was assigned the crucial role of vanguard for the battalion’s advance along the axis Aja Dhat – Chandgazi Bazar – Mridhyar Bazar. Their mission was clear to make contact with the enemy at Mridhyar Bazar and clear the position if feasible. Leading this advance was the platoon commanded by 2nd Lt Dharampal Yadav, whose leadership would soon prove decisive.  After an arduous night-long tactical march, 2nd Lt Yadav’s platoon made contact with the enemy at 0400 hours on 25 November 1971. The men were fatigued, but the young officer’s resolve remained unshaken. Recognizing the need for precise intelligence before launching an assault, he voluntarily led a patrol towards the enemy-held area. By this time, daylight had broken, exposing the patrol to intense and accurate enemy automatic fire from enemy medium machine guns (MMGs), light machine guns (LMGs), and EMGs, all supported by mortars and artillery. The enemy defenses were well-coordinated, strongly held, and tactically prepared. Despite the heavy fire and grave risk to his life, 2nd Lt Yadav skillfully probed the enemy defenses. Through his determination and tactical acumen, he succeeded in identifying exact bunker locations, automatic weapon emplacements, and the overall extent of the defensive layout. This information proved vital for the Company Commander to make timely decisions.

Based entirely on the intelligence gathered by 2nd Lt Yadav, the Company Commander decided to launch a daylight attack. Once again, without hesitation, 2nd Lt Yadav volunteered to lead the assaulting echelon. At 0815 hours on 25 November 1971, the Company commenced its attack, with 2nd Lt Yadav spearheading the charge. Displaying remarkable aggression, he led his platoon straight into the heart of the enemy position. His leadership and momentum inspired his men to press forward despite the volume of fire directed at them During the assault, five enemy LMG and MMG bunkers were encountered on his objective. Demonstrating exceptional courage, 2nd Lt Yadav personally charged multiple bunkers, using his sten gun and hand grenades to neutralize them one by one. For nearly two continuous hours, 2nd Lt Dharampal Yadav remained at the very forefront of the battle, directing fire with precision, motivating his platoon under relentless enemy pressure, and repeatedly exposing himself to danger in order to maintain the offensive momentum. His leadership was not confined to issuing orders from a position of safety—he led from the front, observing enemy dispositions, adjusting the assault plan in real time, and inspiring his men through his own courage.

As the company prepared to assault yet another strongly held enemy bunker, 2nd Lt Yadav once again took on a role far beyond the call of duty. Recognizing the need for accurate covering fire, he personally took charge of siting and directing a Light Machine Gun to support the advancing troops. He repeatedly volunteered for the most dangerous tasks, gathered vital intelligence required for the attack, and led the assault with an indomitable fighting spirit. A few days later, on 29 November 1971, while continuing operations in the sector, 2nd Lt Yadav once again found himself in combat with hostile forces. It was during this engagement that he made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists, laying down his life in the line of duty. His steadfast courage and dedication, even in the face of mortal danger, embody the essence of soldierly valour and eternal service to the nation.

2nd Lt Dharampal Yadav is survived by his son Shri Devendra Kumar Yadav.