Lt Col VR Chauhan SC

Lt Colonel Vinay Rao Chauhan hailed from Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh. He was strongly inclined to serve in the Armed Forces, since his younger days and eventually joined the Army. He was commissioned into the 2/1 GR battalion of the 1 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, a regiment known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle exploits. He soon honed his field craft skills and thereafter served in various operational areas facing many challenging situations. After serving with his parent unit for some years, he was later deputed to serve with the 15th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles.

Bandipora Operation (J&K) : 30 June 2006

During June 2006, Lt Col Vinay Rao Chauhan's unit 15 RR was deployed in Baramulla district of J & K. The unit troops were engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a regular basis as its AOR (Area of Responsibility) was affected by active militancy. Lt Col Vinay Rao Chauhan was functioning as the Officer Commanding of the Delta Company of 15 RR battalion. On 30 Jun 2006, the security forces received credible information from intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Bandipora in Baramulla district. Based on the intelligence inputs it was decided to launch a search and destroy operation in the suspected area under the leadership of Lt Col VR Chauhan. 

Lt Col VR Chauhan along with his QRT(Quick Reaction Team) reached the suspected building in Bandipora which was a three-storey building, housing a shopping complex too. He cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to flush out the hiding terrorists. He led the search operation himself with thoroughly searching varous rooms and back areas. After a thorough search, when Lt Col VR Chauhan was moving across a lobby inside, he was attacked by a militant hiding inside. Lt Col Chauhan immediately swung into action and bare-handedly managed to fight off the militant. But the bruise caused profuse bleeding and as a result Lt Col VR Chauhan lost consciousness. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Lt Col Vinay Rao Chauhan was a valiant soldier and a fine officer, who displayed commendable bravery and leadership during the operation. Lt Col Vinay Rao Chauhan was given the gallantry award, "Shaurya Chakra" on 26 January 2007 for his remarkable courage, camaraderie, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.