Maj Anurag Srivastava SC

Maj Anurag Srivastava hailed from Shoranur town in Palakkad district of Kerala. He was inclined to join the Army since his younger days and kept working towards it.  He was commissioned into 2 Mech Inf battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, one of the youngest regiments in the army, comprising 27 battalions dispersed under various armoured formations throughout India. After commissioning he served in various operational areas and gradually rose to the rank of Major.  

Kupwara Operation : 11 Jan 1996

During 1996, Maj Anurag Srivastava was serving with 21 Assam Rif battalion on deputation.  The unit was deployed in Kupwara district of J&K along the LOC.  As a number of militants were active in the unit’s Area of Responsibility(AOR), the troops were engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a regular basis. The area was also prone to infiltration, which necessitated regular armed patrols to check any infiltration from across the border. The AOR of the unit also spanned over dense jungle and remote rugged mountainous terrain with extreme weather conditions. Based on the information from intelligence sources, Maj Anurag Srivastava was tasked to lead a team of soldiers, to foil an infiltration bid in the unit's AOR on 11 Jan 1996.  

When Maj Anurag Srivastava and his men reached the suspected area as planned, they soon observed a suspicious movement. Maj Anurag Srivastava along with his team swung into action to foil the infiltration bid and neutralize the militants. He deployed his troops tactically to block the possible escape routes and engaged them aggressively. In the ensuing fierce gun battle, some militants were eliminated. However, during the exchange of fire Maj Anurag Srivastava received gunshots and was seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Anurag Srivastava was a valiant soldier and a fine officer, who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty. Maj Anurag Srivastava was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” on 15 August 1996, for his commendable bravery, leadership, and supreme sacrifice.