Service No : 13655851K
Date of Birth : October 30, 1943
Place of birth : Allahabad Dist (UP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Lance Naik
Unit : 7 Guards
Arm/Regt : The Brigade of the Guards
Operation : Indo-Pak War 1971
Martyrdom : December 14, 1971
Lance Naik Bachchu Lal Yadav hailed from Maharaj Ka Purwa village in Chail tehsil of Allahabad (Kaushambi) district in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 30 Oct 1943. Son of Shri Anandi Prasad and Smt Shrimati Dulari Devi, L/Nk Bachchu Lal had two brothers Shivmohan Singh and Babu Lal, and two sisters Sampat Devi and Bachani Devi as his siblings. L/Nk Bachchu Lal did his primary education in a nearby primary school. But he had always dreamt of joining Indian Army since his younger days and this passion enabled him to join the Army. On 30 Oct 1962 at the age of 19 years, he was recruited in the 7 Guards Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards, an infantry Regiment known for its gallant soldiers with a long history of numerous battle exploits.
After serving for a few years he got married to Ms Kela Pati Devi and the couple had three sons Rajendra Kumar, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Raj Kumar Yadav, and a daughter Gamal. By 1971, he had put in around 09 years of service and had served in various field areas and gained the field-craft skills required to be a battle-ready soldier. He also participated in the Indo-Pakistani War in 1965. In the year 1971, as the situation along the Indo-Pak borders worsened and war clouds started gathering around the horizon, L/Nk Bachchu Lal's unit was deployed on the western front.
Indo-Pak War (Kargil Sector): 14 Dec 1971
During November 1971, L/Nk Bachchu Lal's unit, 7 Guards, was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. Although the war officially began on 03 December 1971 when the Pakistani Air Force attacked Indian air bases, border skirmishes had started much earlier, prompting the Indian Army to move several units to operational areas. The war in the western theatre began when the Pakistan Air Force launched a series of air attacks on Indian airfields at Amritsar, Awantipur, Faridkot, Pathankot, and Srinagar on 3 December 1971, at about 1730h. This was followed by attacks on selected Indian posts on the same night. As per strategic thinking within Pakistan, the defence of East Pakistan lay in its 'Western Wing'. In pursuance of this policy, Pakistan went on the offensive in the West when Indian support to the freedom fighters in East Pakistan was stepped up. The Indian strategy had its war aims focused on the 'East'. The strategic defence was to be maintained in the 'West' and a counter-offensive would be launched only after Pakistan initiated hostilities. This served the larger strategic purpose of ensuring that India was not accused of aggression which could have had a negative effect on its operations in the 'East'. L/Nk Bachchu Lal's unit, 7 Guards was functioning under the overall operational control of 15 Corps. From 03 December, his battalion was engaged in fierce combat against the enemy under harsh conditions, with temperatures plummeting between 0 to -15 degrees Celsius and minimal shelter or supplies.
As per the overall operational plan of the 15 Corps, the battalion captured Point 3985 in the Kargil sector. Thereafter the troops advanced towards Point 3550, where Pakistani forces were heavily fortified with machine guns and mortar support. The assault on Point 3550 was met with fierce resistance. On 13 December 1971, amidst intense fighting and overwhelming counterattacks, Lance Naik Bachchu Lal and his comrades bravely defended their position, but the enemy eventually recaptured Point 3550. However, on 14 December, Lance Naik Bachchu Lal got severely injured in the fierce exchange of fire with the enemy troops. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. He was among the 19 soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, during the entire operation. L/Nk Bachchu Lal Yadav displayed remarkable courage and dedication in the operation and made the supreme sacrifice. His sacrifice, along with that of his comrades, stands as a powerful reminder of the price of freedom and the unwavering spirit of the Indian Army.
Lance Naik Bachchu Lal, who laid down his life at the age of 28, upheld the highest traditions of the Indian Army. He is survived by his sons Rajendra Kumar Yadav (who served as a Captain in the Army), Krishna Kumar Yadav (who served as Naib Subedar in the Indian Army), Shri Raj Kumar Yadav, and his daughter Smt. Gamal Yadav.
Shubham Yadva
2024 at 9:35 amHe was my gradfather and I salute to his bravery♥️
SHUBHAM YADAV
2024 at 11:02 amLance Naik Bachhu Lal was a brave soldier of the 7th Guards Regiment of the Indian Army, martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war in the Kargil sector. From December 3rd, his battalion was involved in intense combat, battling freezing temperatures between 0 to -15 degrees Celsius, with little shelter or supplies. After capturing Point 3985, the 7 GUARDS launched an assault on Point 3550, where the Pakistani forces were entrenched with machine guns and mortar support. During this fierce battle on December 13th, Lance Naik Bachhu Lal and his comrades faced overwhelming counterattacks. Despite their bravery, the enemy recaptured Point 3550. Tragically, Lance Naik Bachhu Lal was one of 19 soldiers killed in action, sacrificing his life for the nation. His courage and dedication in the harshest conditions are remembered with great honor.”
Shubham Yadav
2024 at 3:20 pmHe was my grandfather, and I pay tribute to his bravery.
Shubham Yadav
2024 at 11:22 pmHe was my grandfather and I salute to his bravery♥️