Major Ushnisha Jaitly KC

Major Ushnisha Jaitly hailed from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. After completing his education he joined the army and got commissioned into the 3/11 GR battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, a regiment known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle exploits. After completing his training, he served in various challenging operational areas and developed into a fine officer with admirable soldierly skills. 

Poonch Operation (Op Rakshak) : 01 Dec 2001

During Dec 2001, Maj Ushnisha Jaitly's 3/11 GR was deployed in the Mendhar sector of the Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir as part of "Operation Rakshak". The unit was operating in a militant-infested area and consequently, it had to undertake operations against the militants on a frequent basis. The LOC located near to its AOR, remained highly active and volatile with ceasefire violations occurring very often and without any warning. The area was also prone to infiltration, which necessitated regular armed patrols to check any infiltration from across the border. Following inputs from the intelligence sources about the presence of some terrorists, the security forces decided to launch a search operation in Mendhar sector of Poonch district on 01 Dec 2001.  Maj Ushnisha Jaitly was tasked to lead that operation on 01 Dec 2001.

When Maj Ushnisha Jaitly along with his troops reached the suspected area, they were attacked by a group of heavily armed militants. Though the attack was sudden, Maj Ushnisha Jaitly 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. In the ensuing gun battle Maj Ushnisha Jaitly showing commendable courage and gallantry, eliminated two militants. However, during the exchange of fire, Maj Ushnisha Jaitly received multiple gunshots and was seriously injured. He soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Ushnisha Jaitly was a committed soldier and a gritty officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of duty. Maj Ushnisha Jaitly was given the nation’s second highest peacetime gallantry award “Kirti Chakra” on 15 August 2002, for his outstanding courage, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice in the line of his duty.

Maj Ushnisha Jaitly is survived by his wife and two children.