Major Ashok Sangali

Major Ashok Sangali hailed from Bengeri Udaynagar in Hubli tehsil of Dharwad district in Karnataka and was born on 15th Aug 1963. Son of late Shri Kallapa Basappa Sangali and Smt Parthavva, Maj Ashok Sangali was the youngest of the seven siblings. After completing his graduation he got selected to join the army through the Combined Defence Services Examination. He went on to join the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and got commissioned at the age of 24 years in Sep 1987. He got commissioned into 17 MLI of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, an infantry regiment with a rich history of bravery and numerous battle exploits.

Soon after being commissioned, he was sent to join the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka where he served till 1988. By 2001 Maj Ashok Sangali had served for nearly 14 years out of which 10 years he had operated in very challenging field areas. After serving for some time with his parent unit, Maj Ashok Sangali was deputed to serve with 27 RR Battalion deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.

Surankot Operation : 27 Nov 2001

During 2001, Maj Ashok Sangali was serving with 27 Rashtriya Rifles, deployed in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir. The unit was operating in a militant-infested area and consequently, it had to undertake operations against the militants on a frequent basis. Maj Ashok Sangali was tasked to lead one such operation on 27 Nov 2001. When Maj Ashok Sangali along with his troops were on their way in Kaka Hills in the Surankot sector of Poonch district, they were attacked by a group of heavily armed militants. Though the attack was sudden, Maj Ashok Sangali and his troops rose to the occasion and swung into action.

It was a pre-planned attack by the militants who were hiding in safe places and using automatic weapons. The ensuing gun battle was fierce and lasted for over 24 hours. However, during the exchange of fire, Maj Ashok Sangali received multiple gunshots and was seriously injured. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but later he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Ashok Sangali was a committed soldier and a gritty officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of duty.

Maj Ashok Sangali is survived by his mother Smt Parthavva and wife Smt Padma Sangali.