Lt Col Harsh Udai Singh Gaur AC

Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was born on 01 July 1953 in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. Son of Shri Rajendra Singh Gaur, he completed his early education in his hometown and later graduated in 1972 from C.S. Nehru Degree College. In September 1973, he joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and was commissioned into the Bihar Regiment on 12 May 1974. After passing out from the Academy, he served in various operational areas across different units and formations, steadily building his professional competence.

An alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Lt Col Gaur also served as an Instructor at the Infantry School, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He held a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, further enhancing his academic and military credentials. 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 Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations.

The recruitment of soldiers from the region of Bihar has a long and proud legacy, tracing back to the era of the British East India Company, which had raised the ‘Bengal Native Infantry’, laying the foundation for what later evolved into the Bihar Regiment.

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 deployed in Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. Known for his fearless leadership style, he firmly believed in leading every mission from the front, inspiring confidence and morale among his troops. On 29 November 1994, intelligence inputs revealed the presence of 10–12 heavily armed foreign mercenaries in Bazipura village of Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir. As the Commanding Officer of 10 Bihar, Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur immediately planned and launched a search-and-cordon operation with his Quick Reaction Team, personally deciding to lead the mission from the front.

At around 0700 hours, while combing the area, the troops came under intense AK rifle and Universal Machine Gun fire from the terrorists. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind and tactical acumen, Lt Col Gaur swiftly redeployed two companies, effectively sealing all escape routes. Without regard for his personal safety, he advanced from the flank under heavy fire, using ground cover, and took the terrorists by complete surprise. In the fierce exchange that followed, he neutralized three terrorists. Soon after, another Universal Machine Gun opened heavy fire on the advancing team from behind a rocky hillock. Refusing to pull back, Lt Col Gaur crawled forward under continuous enemy fire, lobbed a grenade at the gun position, destroyed the machine gun post, and eliminated another terrorist, saving many of his soldiers from certain casualties. This bold and decisive action changed the course of the encounter.

During the ongoing gun battle, Lt Col Gaur sustained multiple bullet wounds, but he continued to lead and fight with unwavering courage and determination. He later succumbed to his injuries, laying down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, epitomizing leadership, duty, and sacrifice. His supreme bravery, leadership beyond the call of duty, and ultimate sacrifice earned him the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award — Ashoka 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 residential area for military personnel has been named as ‘Gaur Enclave’  in Lucknow Cantonme