Major Vajinder Singh Shahi SC

Major Vajinder Singh Shahi was commissioned into the 15th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, an esteemed infantry regiment of the Indian Army, renowned for its valiant soldiers and a legacy of distinguished battle honours. Upon completion of his rigorous training, the young officer was posted to a field area where he quickly adapted to the demanding environment and honed his fieldcraft and operational skills. Major Shahi was known for his gregarious nature and his willingness to extend help to anyone in need. He deeply valued his relationships and made it a point to spend quality time with friends and family, striking a commendable balance between his personal commitments and professional duties. In a relatively short span of service, he was deployed across multiple operational areas. These varied experiences helped shape him into a tough, battle-ready soldier and a capable leader. He was deeply committed to his troops and believed in leading from the front—by example, courage, and unwavering dedication to duty.

Operation Zand Dudi Ridge (J&K):  (August–September 1993)

In August 1993, intelligence reports indicated possible militant infiltration along the Zand Dudi Ridge in Jammu and Kashmir. On 22 August 1993, a patrol party from 15 Dogra detected suspicious movement trails on the ridge, suspected to be linked to infiltrating armed militants, referred to as Anti-National Elements (ANEs). In response, a swift tactical operation was launched to intercept and neutralize the threat. A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) led by Major VS Shahi was tasked to establish contact with the militants and secure Point 3369, a key feature on the Zand Dudi Ridge. A second QRT was deployed to establish a stop point along Zandu Dudi Nar, a route suspected to be used by the infiltrators for movement or retreat. Maj Shahi's team moved out at 1430 hours on 22 August. As they approached Point 3369 around 1730 hours, they came under intense heavy machine gun fire from militants entrenched on the heights. Assessing the situation swiftly, Maj Shahi organized a counter-response. Demonstrating tactical brilliance and personal courage, he divided his team—sending one group to flank the militants while leading the remaining troops himself in a direct assault on the peak. This maneuver successfully dislodged the militants from their dominating position on Point 3369.

With nightfall, active search operations were temporarily suspended, although intermittent firing continued throughout the night to prevent regrouping or escape by the militants. As night fell, the operation was temporarily suspended due to reduced visibility. However, intermittent firing from both sides continued throughout the night. At first light on 23 August, the search operation resumed—this time focusing on the western slopes of the ridge where the militants had taken cover behind large boulders and thick foliage. The terrain made it extremely challenging to flush out the hostile elements (ANEs – Anti-National Elements), but the QRT pressed on with determination. In the afternoon, a tracker dog was employed to aid the search. Unfortunately, during the continued advance, two leading scouts were killed by accurate sniper fire from a militant hiding in a rock crevice. The team found it nearly impossible to neutralize this sniper due to his concealed and elevated position, which allowed him to lay down precision fire on any movement. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Maj Shahi called for an 84mm Rocket Launcher (RL) to destroy the sniper's position. However, due to the onset of darkness, the RL team could not deploy in time. Maj Shahi then directed suppressive fire throughout the night to contain the sniper and prevent any escape.

On the morning of 24 August, Maj Shahi personally maneuvered to a vantage point from where the sniper’s position could be effectively engaged. After five RL rounds, the sniper was finally killed, allowing the QRT to resume the area search safely. The team recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the site. As the militants dispersed deeper into the forested areas flanking the ridge, efforts continued to track and neutralize them. On 25 August, six militants were spotted hiding in the jungle. Maj Shahi led a northern flanking maneuver, while another element advanced from the south, effectively blocking their escape routes. Over the next two days, Maj Shahi's team engaged and eliminated all six militants. His tactical brilliance, courageous leadership, and personal involvement were instrumental in the success of this phase of the operation. The operation extended over 13 days, involving intense tracking, search, and close-quarter encounters in difficult mountainous terrain. Under Maj Shahi’s exemplary leadership, the 15 Dogra unit achieved a decisive victory, eliminating 18 militants and capturing a massive haul of weapons and communication equipment, including: 20 AK-47/56 rifles, 3 Universal Machine Guns (UMGs), 4 Sniper rifles, 2 Grenade Launchers, 23 Pistols, 5 Radio Sets, Over 5000 rounds of ammunition.

Maj VS Shahi's conduct throughout the operation was a textbook example of military professionalism, courage, and selfless service. He consistently led from the front, inspiring his men by his sheer dynamism and fearlessness. However, even after the operation concluded, Maj Shahi remained committed to ensuring the long-term security of the area. On 07 September 1993, while engaged in a mine-laying operation near the Line of Control (LoC) to prevent future infiltration, he was tragically killed when a mine accidentally exploded, resulting in his instant martyrdom. Maj V S Shahi’s supreme sacrifice and his outstanding leadership remain a shining example of bravery and dedication in counter-insurgency operations. In recognition of his exceptional leadership, unwavering courage, and ultimate sacrifice, Major VS Shahi was posthumously honoured with the "Shaurya Chakra," one of the nation’s most prestigious peacetime gallantry awards.