Captain Ayush Yadav

Captain Ayush Yadav hailed from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 24 Aug 1991. Son of Shri Arun Kant Yadav and Smt Sarla Yadav, Capt Ayush had one elder sister Rupal as his sibling. Son of a UP Police Inspector, Capt Ayush always wanted to serve in the Armed Forces since his childhood. He did his schooling from St Joseph School Kanpur and continued to follow his dream of donning the Army uniform. Eventually he got selected to join the Army after passing the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS). He went on to join the 134th course at Indian Military Academy on 30th Dec 2012.

Capt Ayush got commissioned at the age of 22 years into the Regiment of Artillery and was proud to be a gunner. During 2017, he was serving with 310 Med Regt which was deployed in Kupwara sector of J & K. Capt Ayush was a keen boxer and had won many competitions during his school days. He was a committed soldier and a fine officer, who was equally liked by his seniors and men under him.

Kupwara Operation : 27 Apr 2017 

During 2017, Capt Ayush Yadav’s unit was based in the Army garrison located at Panzgam in Kupwara district, about 120 km from Srinagar. Kupwara is one of the most frequented infiltration routes used by militants to cross the Line of Control, especially after the snow starts melting  On 27 Apr 2017, three armed militants descended down the wooded mountains and tip-toed towards the Army garrison at Panzgam at 4.30 am. They hurled grenades and started indiscriminate firing after cutting through two barbed wire fences from the rear side of the camp. When they began cutting the fence, soldiers on duty noticed the suspicious activity and challenged them. The three militants taken by surprise fired at the guards and tried to rush towards the living quarters.

Capt Ayush Yadav was woken up by the deafening sound of gunfire and sensed something ominous. He threw his blanket away, grabbed his AK 47 and rushed out. Capt Ayush Yadav realizing the gravity of the situation fired at the terrorists, who were inching towards the living quarters. During the exchange of fire, Capt Ayush got hit by the bullets and was seriously injured. However, despite his injuries, Capt Ayush Yadav didn’t allow the militants to proceed towards the living quarters and provided the crucial time for the quick reaction team to engage the terrorists. However, Capt Ayush Yadav later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred at the age of 25 years. Besides Capt Ayush Yadav, two more soldiers were martyred during the operation which included Sub Bhoop Singh and Naik Bhoota Venkata Ramana.

Capt Ayush Yadav was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence who laid down his life in the service of the nation. He is survived by his father Shri Arun Kant Yadav, mother Smt Sarla Yadav and sister Smt Rupal Yadav.