Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria KC

Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria was born on 14 December 1971 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, into a well-known and respected family. He was the son of Shri Ganga Singh Bhadauria, a prominent political leader in Uttar Pradesh, and Smt. Aruna Singh, and grew up alongside his brother Amit Singh. Despite belonging to a family deeply rooted in politics, Maj Avinash charted a different path for himself. From an early age, he was captivated by the discipline, courage, and sense of purpose embodied by the Indian Armed Forces. His dream was never to follow in his father’s political footsteps but to serve the nation in uniform. Pursuing this passion, Maj Avinash was selected to join the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune, in 1990—a remarkable achievement that marked the beginning of his journey as a soldier. During his time at the NDA, he proved to be an exceptional cadet. His leadership skills, dedication, and all-round excellence in academics, military training, and sports earned him the coveted title of “Battalion Cadet Captain,” a recognition reserved for the finest leaders among the cadets.

Following NDA, he moved to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for advanced military training. In June 1994, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the 18 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s oldest and most decorated infantry regiments, renowned for its fearless soldiers and rich legacy of battlefield victories. His initial postings took him to Hathigarh in Assam, a region troubled by Naxalite insurgency, where he gained firsthand experience in handling complex internal security challenges. He was later posted to Jamnagar in Kutch, Gujarat, near the sensitive Indo-Pak border, further honing his skills as a front-line officer. Outside his military duties, Maj Avinash was a well-rounded individual. A natural sportsman, he excelled particularly in shot put and discus throw, often representing his units in competitions and earning admiration for his athletic abilities. In 1997, after a few years of distinguished service, he married Ms. Shalini, and the couple was later blessed with a son, Dhruv, who became the center of his world. In 2000, Major Bhadauria volunteered for a challenging deputation with the 8 Rashtriya Rifles, a unit actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir.

Doda Operation: 28 Sep 2001

In September 2001, Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria’s unit, 8 Rashtriya Rifles, was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. The region under their responsibility was a volatile and insurgency-prone area, demanding round-the-clock vigilance and an unyielding spirit. Over his year-and-a-half tenure with the battalion, Maj Avinash had already participated in numerous operations, earning the respect and trust of his comrades for his calm leadership and fearless approach under fire. On 28 September 2001, intelligence sources provided specific information about the presence of heavily armed terrorists operating in Doda district. Recognizing the urgency and potential threat, the unit decided to launch a search-and-destroy operation, placing Maj Avinash at the helm. With his characteristic decisiveness, he quickly assessed the terrain and the available intelligence, formulated a tactical plan, and mobilized his troops. Moving swiftly, they advanced toward the suspected hideout and cordoned off the area to prevent any escape.

As the team closed in, Maj Avinash and his men spotted the militants. When challenged, the terrorists opened a sudden and heavy burst of gunfire. What followed was an intense and fierce gun battle. Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, Maj Avinash executed a tactical maneuver, deploying his troops strategically to encircle and hem in the terrorists. Leading from the front, Maj Avinash fought with extraordinary courage, engaging the militants at close quarters. In the heat of the battle, he single-handedly neutralized three terrorists, a feat that underscored both his exceptional marksmanship and unflinching bravery. However, in the course of the firefight, Maj Avinash was struck by multiple bullets and sustained critical injuries. Despite being grievously wounded, he continued to direct his men, ensuring the success of the operation. Ultimately, Maj Avinash succumbed to his injuries and was martyred in the line of duty at the age of just 29. His sacrifice and offensive spirit galvanized his troops, who, inspired by his example, fought on with renewed determination. The remaining terrorists were eliminated, and the operation concluded successfully, safeguarding the area from further insurgent activity.

For his outstanding leadership, exceptional courage, and supreme sacrifice, Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award. His actions not only saved countless lives but also stood as a shining example of the selflessness and valour that define the Indian Army. 

Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria is survived by his father Shri Ganga Singh Bhadauria, mother Smt. Aruna Singhwife Smt. Shalini Singh, young son Dhruv Singh, brother Shri Amit Singh, and sister-in-law Smt. Rashmi Singh. In a moving tribute to her late husband’s legacy, Smt. Shalini Singh chose to don the uniform herself. In 2002, she was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army, embodying the same spirit of service and resilience that Maj Avinash had lived by. Over the years, she went on to achieve remarkable milestones of her own—winning the prestigious title of Mrs India 2017 and dedicating herself to numerous social causes, continuing to honor and amplify the values her husband stood for. 

• Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria was always remembered by his fellow course mates as an outstanding performer,excelling in all his training courses.  His best friend, Amit Nigam, a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, described the brave officer as, ” An active and bold man. Avinash was liked by all the instructors during the training course. He always stood first in his courses and was very helpful. He had a zest to end terrorism in the country. “
• Amit Nigam also said that Avinash had won the award of battalion cadet captain’ during the course and was liked by all the instructors during the training courses. Although Nigam opted for the air force and Avinash opted for the army, both remained good friends. Amit Nigam said, “I have lost my best friend, but I still can’t believe that he is no more”.

Inspiring Story of Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria's Wife-- Capt Shalini Singh:

Life turned blissful for Shalini, when she got married to then Capt Avinash Singh Bhadauria in 1997. Though she was just 19 years at that time, she soon adapted to the Army life and felt indeed proud to be a member of the large Army family.  The arrival of their son Dhruv brought added happiness in their lives. But on 28 Sep 2001, her destiny suddenly turned hostile, when she lost her husband, while he was leading a counter-insurgency operation in J&K.  The world came crashing down for her and the life suddenly lost meaning for her.  She felt distraught, angry and terribly worried about her future and that of her son. 

But she was a woman of strong will and determination. She took the tragedy in her stride and decided to take life head on. She decided to join the Army like her husband and started preparing for SSB. With her outstanding perseverance and encouraged by her wellwishers, she cleared the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview in 2001.  She knew about the mental and physical challenges of the job, especially with her toddler being wholly dependent on her, but she was ready to do whatever it took.  Finally, on the 7th of September, 2002, twenty days short of her husband’s first death anniversary, she was commissioned as an Officer in the Indian Army. During the training at OTA, she excelled in all aspects of training and won praise from all quarters for her commitment and grit. 

It was not easy for her to work in a mostly male-dominated environment, yet with each passing day, she found the courage to go on and served in the army for 6 years, before resigning to give her son a more settled life.   On the 14th of April, 2017, Capt Shalini was crowned ‘Classic Mrs India 2017 Queen of Substance’ at New Delhi. It was a day of reckoning for her as she had picked up pieces from her battered life to transform into a woman of substance.  Later she became the first Indian to represent the country in a beauty pageant (Ms. Earth in the USA) in the single-parent section.  Subsequently she went on to gather many laurels including the Veer Nari Samman by Govt of India, EPIC Award 2018, citations of honors by Lions Clubs, and All India Achievers award.

Today, she continues to work in different capacities to help people with physical and emotional wounds. From slum children and war widows to cancer support, animal welfare, and people with disabilities, she is associated with many social causes. From losing her husband at the age of 23 to pushing herself to become an Army officer and then winning many coveted awards,  Capt Shalini’s struggle and never-say-die attitude will continue to inspire women for many years to come.