Major Yogesh Gupta

Major Yogesh Gupta hailed from Haryana but was born in Phillaur in Jalandhar district of Punjab. Son of Shri Ved Prakash and Smt Lalit Mohini, Maj Yogesh Gupta had his initial schooling at Goraya and Batala in Punjab and later on joined the Sainik School at Kapurthala for further studies. A multi-faceted student, he was equally adept at studies, sports, and extracurricular activities. While studying at the Sainik school, his resolve to join the Armed Forces got further strengthened and eventually he got selected to join the prestigious NDA.  He joined the 90th batch of the NDA and later on joined the IMA Dehradun for further training. He was commissioned into 274 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, the combat arm known for its booming guns and immense firepower.

Maj Yogesh Gupta was a very jovial person and was very popular among his friends and comrades. After serving for a few years with his parent unit, Maj Yogesh Gupta was deputed to serve with 25 RR battalion, deployed in J & K for counterinsurgency operations. Maj later Yogesh Gupta got married to Ms. Saroj in 2000.

Operation Prachand Prahar: 12 Jul 2002

During 2002, Maj Yogesh Gupta’s unit 25 RR was deployed in Poonch district of J & K for counter-insurgency operations. The AOR(Area of Responsibility) of his unit was the hotbed of militant activities which required the troops to maintain a high state of alert at all times. The security forces received information from the intelligence sources on 11 Jul 2002 about the presence of some hard-core terrorists in Surankot area of Poonch district. Based on the analysis of the information, a joint operation was planned along with the soldiers of 9 Para(SF). As planned, the operation called, “Prachand Prahar” was launched in the wee hours of 12 Jul 2002.

Maj Yogesh Gupta along with his team reached the suspected area of Ranjati in Surankot tehsil of Poonch district. Maj Yogesh Gupta, who was leading one of the columns was tasked to launch the search and destroy operation and occupy the Ranjiti area. The operation was launched at 0100 hrs and contact was made with the terrorists by 0400 hrs, who fired at the troops on being challenged. A firefight ensued thereafter and during the exchange of fire Maj Yogesh Gupta received gunshots in his abdomen. However, despite being seriously injured, Maj Yogesh Gupta continued to engage the terrorists and managed to eliminate four of them. A total of five terrorists were neutralized during the operation.

Maj Yogesh Gupta was evacuated to 169 Military Hospital for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Yogesh Gupta was a gallant soldier and a gritty officer who led from the front like a true military leader. He displayed outstanding courage, determination, fighting spirit during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation following the highest traditions of the Army.

Maj Yogesh Gupta is survived by his father Shri Ved Prakash and wife Smt Saroj Gupta.