Lt Col Harsh Udai Singh Gaur AC

Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was born on 01 July 1953 in Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, to Shri Rajendra Singh Gaur. He completed his early education in his hometown and went on to graduate in 1972 from C.S. Nehru Degree College, laying a strong academic foundation before choosing a career in the armed forces. In September 1973, he joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai and was commissioned into the Bihar Regiment on 12 May 1974. From the outset, he distinguished himself as a dedicated and capable officer. Following his commissioning, he served in a variety of operational areas across different units and formations, steadily building a reputation for professionalism, leadership, and sound judgment in the field. His career progression reflected consistent merit. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 12 May 1975, granted a regular commission in 1979 (He had joned as a Short Service Commissioned Officer), and promoted to Captain on 9 July 1981. He attained the rank of Major on 9 July 1986.

A committed soldier-scholar, Lt Col Gaur was selected to attend the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and also served as an Instructor at the Infantry School, Mhow (Madhya Pradesh)—appointments that reflected both his operational competence and his instructional ability. He further strengthened his academic credentials by earning a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, demonstrating a rare blend of intellectual depth and field experience. By 1994, he had rendered nearly two decades of distinguished service in the Indian Army and had earned the reputation of being a seasoned, battle-hardened soldier and an exemplary officer. In the same year, he took charge as the Commanding Officer of 10 Bihar, which was deployed in the Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. 

Baramulla Operation: 29 Nov 1994

In 1994, Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur, a seasoned and battle-hardened officer, was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 10 Bihar Battalion, deployed in Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir for intensive counter-insurgency operations. Widely respected for his fearless and hands-on leadership style, he firmly believed that a commander must lead from the front. His personal courage and example inspired exceptional confidence, discipline, and morale among the officers and men under his command. On 29 November 1994, credible intelligence inputs indicated the presence of a group of 10–12 heavily armed foreign mercenaries holed up in Bazipura village of Baramulla district. Recognizing the urgency and potential threat to civilian life, Lieutenant Colonel Gaur immediately planned a search-and-cordon operation. Demonstrating exemplary leadership, he chose to personally lead the Quick Reaction Team, determined to oversee and execute the mission from the forefront rather than directing it from the rear.

At approximately 0700 hours, while the troops were methodically combing the area, they came under sudden and intense AK rifle and Universal Machine Gun fire from the entrenched terrorists. Displaying remarkable presence of mind, tactical clarity, and battlefield awareness, Lt Col Gaur swiftly redeployed two companies to effectively seal all possible escape routes, ensuring that the terrorists could not break contact or flee the cordon. Without regard for his own safety, he then advanced from a flank under heavy enemy fire, skillfully using available ground cover to outmanoeuvre the militants and catch them completely by surprise. In the fierce exchange that followed, he personally neutralized three terrorists. As the operation progressed, another Universal Machine Gun opened devastating fire on the advancing troops from behind a rocky hillock, posing an immediate and grave threat to the lives of his soldiers. Undeterred by the intensity of enemy fire, Lt Col Gaur crawled forward with extraordinary courage, closed in on the position, and lobbed a grenade that destroyed the machine gun post and eliminated another terrorist. This daring and decisive action proved to be a turning point in the encounter, preventing heavy casualties and restoring momentum to the operation.

During the prolonged and intense gun battle, Lt Col Gaur sustained multiple bullet wounds. Despite his injuries, he refused evacuation and continued to command and motivate his men with unwavering resolve and indomitable spirit. Eventually, he succumbed to his wounds, laying down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. His supreme courage, inspirational leadership, and selfless sacrifice epitomized the finest ideals of military service. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery and leadership beyond the call of duty, the nation honoured him with the highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra (Posthumous).

The citation for the "Ashoka Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On the 29 November 1994, at 7.00 AM Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur along with his quick reaction team launched an operation to flush out foreign mercenaries from village Bazipura of District Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir. Soon Lieutenant Colonel Gaur and his team came under a heavy volume of AK rifle and Universal Machine Gun fire of the terrorists. Quickly assessing the situation, Lieutenant Colonel Gaur deployed two of his companies to block escape routes of these criminals while he himself got down to neutralising their fire.

In this exchange of fire, the 41-year-old, brave Lieutenant Colonel Gaur using ground cover and utilising his tactical sense moved forward to the flank of the terrorists. This sudden and bold action took the terrorists by complete surprise. Lieutenant Colonel Gaur promptly opened fire and killed three of them.

At the same time, from behind the rocks from a nearby hillock, other foreign terrorists brought heavy fire from a Universal Machine Gun on Lieutenant Colonel Gaur putting his life and that of his fellow soldiers in grave danger. With a view to deal with this adverse situation, Lieutenant Colonel Gaur crawled forward with a grenade in his hand and lobbed it at the Universal Machine Gun position killing yet another foreign terrorist and destroying the menacing gun.

In this extremely dangerous action, Lieutenant Colonel Gaur, an epitome of bravery and courage received many bullets in his chest and he succumbed to his injuries later in the day.

Rising far above the call of duty Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur set a shining example of extraordinary courage, devotion to duty and patriotism.

• A Housing Block in Lucknow Cantonment, comprising 109 dwelling units and spread over an area of 43 acres, has been named 'Gaur Enclave' in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur.
• In recognition of his sacrifice and lasting legacy, a park in Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, has been named after Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur, serving as a permanent tribute to his memory and an enduring reminder of his service to the nation.