Capt Aditya Mishra

Captain Aditya Mishra hailed from Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh and was born on 24th December 1974. His family originally hailed form Almora district of Uttarakhand, but later settled down in Lucknow. Son of Colonel GS Mishra(Retd) and Smt Veena Mishra, Capt Aditya, did his initial schooling at Children Academy Lucknow and Cathedral School Lucknow. Later he completed his schooling from Army Public School at Dhaula Kuan Delhi. He was very adventurous by nature and always nursed the idea of serving in the Armed Forces like his father. He continued to follow his dream and eventually got selected for the NDA in 1992.

He passed out of NDA in 1995 and went to IMA Dehradun for further training. He passed out of IMA as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1996 at the age of 21 years. He was commissioned into the Corps of Signals, the arm that provides communications to the Indian Army during the war as well as peace. Very early in his service career, he got the opportunity of engaging in active operations, when his unit got involved in "Operation Vijay" in 1999. 

 Batalik Sector Operation (Kargil War) : 25 July 1999

During July 1999, Capt Aditya Mishra was serving with the Signals Company of Ladakh Scouts deployed in the Batalik sector in the Kargil district of J & K. As the "Operation Vijay" was underway during that period, various units were engaged in operations that required constant movement of troops. Communication was very critical and had to keep pace with the ongoing operations. Capt Aditya Mishra was responsible for establishing secured communication lines between the front-line troops and the controlling headquarters. On 25 July 1999, Capt Mishra was assigned the task of laying communication lines at a post in the Batalik sector.

The post was located at a height of more than 15,000 feet and had a steep gradient. Capt Mishra and his troops had to crawl on rocky terrain to reach the designated place. Capt Mishra succeeded in establishing the required communication links but had to face fire from enemy soldiers, who were watching their movements. Capt Mishra and his men retaliated befittingly but suffered casualties during the process. Capt Mishra too got seriously injured during the exchange of fire. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Aditya Mishra was a valiant soldier and a determined officer, who led his men from the front. He showed courage, grit, commitment, and camaraderie of a very high order and laid down his life at the age of 24 years in the service of the nation.

Capt Aditya Mishra is survived by his father Col GS Mishra(retd)  and mother Smt Veena Mishra. 

• “Ma, I will pierce the body of the enemies with my bullets but will keep the last bullet for myself. I won’t be captured by the Pakistanis.” These were the last words of Capt Aditya Mishra to his mother.