Major Sudhir Kumar Walia AC SM*

Maj Sudhir Kumar Walia's family hailed from Banuri village in Palampur town of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, but he was born in Jodhpur in Rajasthan on 24 May 1968. Son of an Army veteran, Subedar Major Rulia Ram Walia and Smt Rajeshwari Dev, he had a brother, Arun (born on 02 Oct 1972) and a sister, Bindiya (born on 22 Feb 1976), as his siblings. He did his initial schooling at Government school Banuri and later joined Sainik School Sujanpur Tira in Himachal Pradesh. The school was located about 45 km from Banuri and was inaugurated on 02 Nov 1978. While studying in the Sainik School, his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew, and the foundation of his future military life was laid. His resolve to join the Army grew with age, and consequently, he got selected for the prestigious NDA after finishing school.  Consequently, he cleared the NDA in his first attempt and joined the prestigious academy in the year 1984.

He excelled in various aspects of training at NDA and passed out on 30 May 1987 as part of the 72nd Course. Later, he went to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and became part of the Cariappa Battalion Sangro company. He passed out of IMA as a Second Lieutenant on 11 June at the age of 20 years. He was commissioned into the 4 Jat battalion of the famed Jat Regiment, an infantry Regiment, widely known for its dauntless soldiers and many battle honours.  Soon after commissioning, he was posted to his unit 4 Jat in Dehradun. However, after a few months of joining, his unit received orders to move to Sri Lanka as part of the IPKF. Thus, he became part of 70,000 soldiers who were sent to Sri Lanka on a peace mission under the Indo-Sri Lanka accord.  In Sri Lanka, the young 2nd Lt  Walia took part in various operations and gained experience in active field operations. He also got an opportunity to operate with the 9 Para(SF) soldiers in Sri Lanka and got motivated to join the special forces. After he returned from Sri Lanka, he got selected to join the 9 Para(SF) in the year 1990. 9 Para(SF) unit was raised in 1966 as 9th Parachute Commando Battalion (now known as 9 Para(SF)) and specialized in Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. 

Thereafter, he attended myriad training courses to gain expertise in various field craft skills. The important training courses that he underwent included Commando Training course at Belgaum, Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare course at CIJW School at Vairengte Mizoram, Officers' Transport Management(OTMC) at Bangalore, Para Training course at PTS(Para Training School) and Mountain Warfare Course at High Altitude Mountain Warfare School at Gulmarg in J&K. Major Sudhir Walia and his unit, 9 Para(Special Forces), known mainly for their daredevil covert operations undertook numerous operations in J &K. In Kashmir, the Special Forces operators of the Indian Army often roamed in militant disguise, hunting for terrorists by locating their hideouts. This strategy facilitated the execution of many militants, their leader and even eliminated several outfits. In July 1993, in an operation in Kandi village, located in Budhal tehsil of Rajouri district, Major Walia eliminated three hardcore terrorists. He was awarded, "Sena Medal" (gallantry) on 26 Jan 1994 for his commendable courage, leadership and devotion to duty during this operation. In Sep 1993, Major Sudhir Walia was decorated with a 'Bar' to the "Sena Medal" for being part of an expedition to scale the peak Brammah II in the Brammah mountains in the Kishtwar region of J&K. It was an armed, fighting expedition, where the purpose was training in extremely challenging conditions. 

In 1997, Major Sudhir was sent to the United States for a specialized course and also got the rare honour of speaking at the Pentagon during this mission. Known as ‘Rambo” in the Indian Army, he was called ‘Colonel’ by his peers in the course, who had come from 80 other countries. Major Sudhir was posted twice in the Siachen area and also served as an 'Aide-De-Camp' to the former Army Chief, General Ved Prakash Malik. While he was excelling in his career “Kargil War” commenced, and Major Sudhir Walia wrote an application to General Malik, the Chief of Army Staff at that time, requesting him for a posting to Kargil to be with his unit in the time of need. General Malik acceded to his request and sent his most fearless and valiant soldier to the battle area of Kargil.  Within ten days of his departure from Delhi, he led his team to capture Zulu Top at 5200 metres in the Mushkoh Valley sector.

Kupwara Operation: 29 Aug 1999

On the morning of 29 August 1999, at approximately 0830 hours, Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, led a squad of five men into the treacherous and thickly forested terrain of Haphruda forest in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. The area was a known militant stronghold, and Major Walia’s mission was part of a search-and-destroy operation targeting heavily armed infiltrators. As the squad cautiously advanced through the dense undergrowth, Major Walia detected the voices of militants ahead. Though the insurgents were not immediately visible, the officer, relying on his instinct and combat experience, decided to take a calculated risk. Accompanied by his close buddy, he crawled uphill through rugged terrain to gain a better vantage point. Upon reaching a small knoll, he spotted two armed militants barely four metres away and noticed a large concealed hideout situated in a depression approximately 15 metres below. Without wasting a moment, Major Walia fired at the closest militant, neutralizing him instantly. The second militant attempted to retreat toward the hideout. With extraordinary speed and boldness, Major Walia charged at the hideout, supported only by covering fire from his buddy. As he stormed the hideout, a group of around 20 heavily armed militants emerged, surprised by the sheer audacity and aggression of the lone officer.

In the fierce and close-quarter combat that followed, Major Walia single-handedly confronted the group, showing no regard for his safety. From a range of just two metres, he opened fire and eliminated four militants before being grievously wounded. He sustained gunshot injuries to his face, chest, and arm and collapsed, bleeding heavily, right at the entrance of the hideout. Despite his critical condition, Major Walia’s commitment to the mission remained unshaken. Refusing immediate evacuation, he used his radio set to contact his troop commanders and all checkpoints, urging them to hold their positions and prevent the remaining militants from escaping. His voice over the radio, calm yet commanding, inspired his troops to maintain pressure on the militants and secure the area. Only after 35 minutes of continuous firefight, when the situation had stabilized, did Major Walia allow himself to be evacuated. Even as life ebbed from his body, he continued to relay instructions over the radio, ensuring that the operation’s momentum was not lost. Eventually, he succumbed to his injuries, holding his radio set—a symbol of his unwavering duty—till his final breath.

Major Sudhir Kumar Walia’s actions that day reflected unparalleled bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice. His fearless charge, close-quarter combat against overwhelming odds, and steadfastness in the face of death remain etched as a shining example of courage in the annals of Indian military history. He made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, displaying conspicuous gallantry and heroism beyond compare. Major Sudhir Walia was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, “Ashok Chakra” on 26 Jan 2000 for his outstanding gallantry, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

Major Sudhir Kumar Walia is survived by his father, an Army veteran Subedar Major Rulia Ram Walia, mother Smt Rajeswari Devi, brother Shri Arun Kumar and sister Ms Bindiya.

The citation for the “Ashok Chakra” awarded to him reads:

On 29 August 1999, at 0830 hours, Major Sudhir Kumar Walia led a squad of five men into the dense undergrowth in Haphruda forest in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir. Soon he heard voices of militants but was unable to see them. He along with his buddy crawled uphill and on reaching a knoll, observed two armed militants barely four metres ahead, and a large covered hideout in a depression 15 Metres below.

The officer immediately fired killing the closest sentry and charged at the second who jumped back towards the hideout. Maj Sudhir Kumar without hesitation charged at the hideout with only his buddy giving him covering fire. The militants who numbered about twenty were shocked and rushed out in an attempt to flee. The officer single-handedly grappled with them and firing from a distance of two metres, killed four militants. In this action, he was, however, hit on his face, chest and arm and fell down bleeding profusely at the entrance to the hideout.

Major Sudhir Kumar, although unable to move, called up his troop commanders and all the stops on the radio set and directed them to hold fast and not allow the rest of the militants to escape. it was only after 35 minutes, when the firefight stopped that he permitted his evacuation. Bleeding profusely, he continued to pass instructions to his troops on his radio set. He passed away holding his set.

Major Sudhir Kumar, thus, displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and bravery beyond compare and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh laid the foundation stone of a Primary Health Center at Banuri in the memory of Major Sudhir Walia, in Jan 2007.
• Maj Sudhir Walia’s bust has been put up at Sainik School in Sujanpur Tira , his alma mater by the school authorities in his honour.
• The chowk leading to Major Sudhir Walia's home in Banuri village in Himachal Pradesh has been named after him in his memory.
• The bus stop near Major Sudhir Walia's home in Banuri village in Himachal Pradesh has been named after him in his honour.
• The portrait of Major Sudhir Walia has been put up in the Sudan Block at NDA Khadakwasla in his honour.
• The portrait of Major Sudhir Walia has also been put up in the Motivation Hall of Juliet Squadron at NDA Khadakwasla in his honour.
• Maj Sudhir Walia’s bust has been put up at Dharamshala State War Memorial and also inside Yol Cantonment in Himachal Pradesh in his honour.

• ‘I won’t die in an accident or die of any disease. ‘I will go down in glory.’ — Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, AC, SM Bar (Posthumous)