Captain Vinayak Gore

Captain Vinayak Gore was born in Vile Parle, a vibrant suburb of Mumbai, to Shri Vishnu Gore and Smt Anuradha Gore. From an early age, he exhibited remarkable discipline and enthusiasm in both academics and extracurricular activities. He completed his schooling at Parle Tilak Vidyalaya, one of the well-known educational institutions in Vile Parle. Following this, he pursued a degree in Commerce from the prestigious Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics (N.M. College), also located in Mumbai. An all-rounder, Vinayak was a passionate sportsman who excelled particularly in swimming, football, and hockey. His natural flair for football earned him a place on the N.M. College football team, where he actively represented the college at numerous inter-collegiate tournaments. Among his peers, he was affectionately nicknamed “Maradona,” a testament to his exceptional football skills and charismatic presence on the field. According to his friends and coaches, his talent was so extraordinary that he could have gone on to represent the country at the national level.

However, despite his sporting achievements and a promising academic path in commerce, Capt Vinayak’s true calling lay elsewhere. Deeply inspired by the lives and ideologies of great Indian patriots like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar, he nurtured a strong desire to serve the nation in uniform. Demonstrating unwavering determination, he took the bold step of discontinuing his Chartered Accountancy article-ship midway in order to prepare for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE). Initially, his decision was met with hesitation by his father, who hoped his son would pursue a stable and conventional career path. However, witnessing Capt Vinayak’s deep sense of purpose and unshakeable resolve, his father eventually supported his son’s aspirations. Captain Vinayak Gore successfully cleared the CDSE and went on to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. After undergoing rigorous training that shaped his leadership and combat skills, he was commissioned into the Indian Army on 12 June 1991 as a Second Lieutenant.

He was commissioned into the 31 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, a combat arm of the Indian Army renowned for its powerful field guns and heavy weaponry. Following his commissioning, Captain Vinayak Gore was first posted to Punjab, where he underwent initial field exposure. Soon thereafter, in 1992, he was deployed to the conflict-prone region of Jammu and Kashmir, where the security situation demanded high levels of alertness, courage, and commitment.

Kupwara Operation: 26 Sept 1995

In 1995, Captain Vinayak Gore was serving with the 31 Medium Regiment, which had been deployed in the volatile Kupwara sector of Jammu & Kashmir. At the time, the region was severely affected by cross-border infiltration and terrorist activity, making it one of the most challenging and high-risk operational zones in the country. The soldiers stationed there operated under constant threat, often tasked with duties that demanded immense courage, presence of mind, and unwavering commitment. As part of his responsibilities, Captain Vinayak played a critical role in securing strategic artillery positions by creating and managing gun areas to support infantry operations. He actively participated in road-opening missions to ensure safe passage for military convoys and civilian movement in insurgency-prone stretches. His duties also included cordoning off villages during tense situations and leading search operations based on actionable intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in nearby areas. These operations were not only dangerous but also required strong leadership, sound tactical judgment, and deep trust from fellow soldiers — all qualities that Captain Vinayak exemplified.

On 26th September 1995, Captain Vinayak was commanding a forward post along the Line of Control — a post that was frequently subjected to hostile firing from across the border. The date coincided with the Navratri festival, a time when security forces had to remain on especially high alert due to the likelihood of increased enemy provocation during religious occasions. Seizing the moment, enemy forces launched an unprovoked and intense attack on Indian positions, including the post under Captain Vinayak’s command. As shells and bullets rained down, Captain Vinayak and his men retaliated fiercely, holding their ground with exemplary courage. Despite the chaos and danger, he remained calm and determined, guiding his troops with precision and grit. His leadership and tactical acumen ensured that the enemy’s assault was effectively countered. However, during the fierce exchange, an enemy shell directly struck the post. Captain Vinayak, who was in the thick of the action, sustained grievous injuries from the blast. Despite the best efforts of his men, he succumbed to his wounds on the battlefield. In that final moment, the fearless officer — who had always shouted patriotic slogans with pride — was silenced forever. He laid down his life cradled in the very soil he had vowed to defend, leaving behind an enduring legacy of bravery, duty, and sacrifice. Captain Vinayak Gore's martyrdom came just three and a half years into his service, but during that short span, he had already earned the admiration and respect of all who served with him. 

Captain Vinayak Gore is survived by his mother, Smt Anuradha Gore.

• A road has been named in his honour as “Captain Vinayak Gore Marg”, in Vile Parle, area of Mumbai.
• A flyover joining east-west Vile Parle in Mumbai has been named after Captain Vinayak Gore.
• Many scholarships in various schools  have been sponsored in his name by a number of citizens of Mumbai.

Quotes by Capt Vinayak Gore:

• We cannot live without the blessings of god even for a fraction of a second.
• If you really want to do something outstanding in life you must join defense services.
• My job gives me 100% job satisfaction 24*7.
• A bullet carved with my name must have been prepared in an ordinance factory somewhere in the world.
• Promise me that you will never cry. You are a captain’s mother and you should never cry.
• If I come back alive accomplishing this mission (last mission) I’ll definitely achieve the rank of an Army General.
• Once you wear an army uniform you must receive medal either alive or posthumously.
• Accept my posthumous award like a mother of a Captain.