Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari KC

Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was born on 4th January 2002 in Ayodhya (Faizabad district), Uttar Pradesh, to Shri Jang Bahadur Tiwari and Smt Neeta Tiwari. He also had a younger sister. Raised in a disciplined family environment that valued integrity and service to the nation, Shashank grew up with a deep sense of purpose and patriotism. From a young age, he harboured a clear and unwavering dream — to wear the uniform and dedicate his life to the service of the country. Driven by this passion and guided by a strong sense of duty, he excelled in academics and worked tirelessly toward his goal. His hard work bore fruit when he secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 463 in the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination — a remarkable achievement that reflected his determination, intellect, and perseverance. He was subsequently selected for the 146th Course of the National Defence Academy, a testament to his steadfast commitment to his lifelong dream of becoming an officer in the Indian Army.

After successfully completing his rigorous military training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and later at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of the Sikkim Scouts Regiment on 14th December 2024. The Sikkim Scouts is one of the youngest regiments of the Indian Army, raised in 2013 and declared operational in 2015. The regiment was formed on the lines of the Ladakh Scouts and Arunachal Scouts, with the objective of recruiting personnel from the high-altitude border regions of Sikkim. Specially trained for mountain warfare and border defence, the Sikkim Scouts play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s frontiers along the northern borders. Affiliated with the 11th Gorkha Rifles, the regiment shares its insignia and flag, distinguished by the addition of the words “Sikkim Scouts.” As a young officer of this elite and strategically significant unit, Lt. Shashank Tiwari exemplified the spirit of courage, discipline, and devotion to duty that defines the regiment. In 2025, he was attached to the Army Service Corps (ASC) for operational exposure and regimental attachment, marking the beginning of a promising military career.

North Sikkim Operation: 22 May 2025

During 2025, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari’s unit was deployed in the strategically sensitive and high-altitude region of North Sikkim, along the Indo-China border. The unit’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompassed vast expanses of rugged mountains and treacherous valleys, most of which remained snowbound for the greater part of the year. The extreme climatic conditions — biting cold, high winds, and frequent snowstorms — posed continuous operational challenges. During the winter months, heavy snowfall often blocked vital routes, hampering troop movement and supply convoys. Maintaining road connectivity between the forward posts was, therefore, a mission-critical task, requiring regular patrolling and snow clearance operations under extremely hazardous conditions. On 22 May 2025, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was entrusted with leading one such Route Opening Patrol (ROP) cum snow clearance operation from Bichhu to the Tactical Operating Base (TOB) at Chu Junction. The patrol, comprising soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Sikkim Scouts, had the important responsibility of ensuring that the route remained open and safe for troop and logistics movement — a routine yet indispensable part of border operations in such terrain.

However, what began as a standard operational task soon turned into a test of valour and selfless leadership. While crossing a makeshift log bridge over a fast-flowing mountain stream, Agniveer Stephan Subba lost his footing and was swept into the icy, turbulent waters. Without a moment’s hesitation, Lieutenant Tiwari instinctively jumped into the freezing stream to save his comrade, driven purely by his soldierly instinct and sense of duty. In that critical moment, he thought not of his own safety but only of the life of the man under his command. Observing the perilous situation, Naik Pukar Katel immediately joined the rescue effort. Braving the fierce current, both men fought relentlessly against the freezing torrent and managed to pull Agniveer Subba to safety. Yet, amidst the chaos and powerful flow of the mountain stream, Lieutenant Tiwari was swept away downstream. Despite the team’s desperate attempts to reach him, the force of the water carried him away. A massive search operation was launched immediately, and after extensive efforts, his body was recovered approximately 800 meters downstream. Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was just 23 years old, having been commissioned barely six months earlier. In that short span, he had already earned the respect and admiration of his men for his professionalism, humility, and unwavering dedication to duty. His supreme act of courage and self-sacrifice epitomized the finest traditions of the Indian Army — “Service Before Self.” By placing the safety of his comrade above his own life, Lieutenant Tiwari demonstrated exceptional leadership, bravery, and comradeship of the highest order. For his extraordinary courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was posthumously awarded the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award — the Kirti Chakra.

Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari is survived by his father, Shri Jang Bahadur Tiwari, mother, Smt. Neeta Tiwari and a sister.