Sepoy Daya Shankar KC

Sepoy Daya Shankar hailed from Lalpur village in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh. After completing his schooling, his inclination towards a career in the Armed Forces grew stronger, and he chose to join the Indian Army. He was recruited into the 10 Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment, a formation renowned for its gallant soldiers, rich traditions, and numerous battle honours earned in some of the most challenging operational theatres. Over the years, Sepoy Daya Shankar proved himself to be a disciplined and dependable soldier, earning the trust and admiration of his superiors and comrades alike. His dedication to duty and willingness to serve wherever the nation required led to his deputation to the 14 Rashtriya Rifles, a specialized counterinsurgency force tasked with maintaining security and stability in Jammu & Kashmir. In this role, he was deployed to the Baramulla district, an area that had witnessed frequent militant activity and posed constant operational challenges.

Baramulla Operation (J&K): 05 Aug 1996

In August 1996, Sepoy Daya Shankar was serving with the 14 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalion, deployed in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir—an area that, at the time, was grappling with heightened militant activity and frequent insurgent attacks. The volatile situation demanded constant vigilance, quick decision-making, and exceptional bravery from every soldier on the ground. On 5 August 1996, Sepoy Daya Shankar was part of a search-and-cordon operation launched by his unit in Labarwalpora, a locality near Wular lake in Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir that had become a known hub of militant activity. The operation demanded the highest levels of alertness and courage, as intelligence inputs indicated the presence of heavily armed terrorists hiding in the area. As the search team cautiously advanced towards a house suspected to be a militant hideout, the militants opened heavy fire to break the cordon. While crossing an open stretch barely 50 meters from the house, Sepoy Daya Shankar was struck by enemy fire and sustained grievous injuries.

Despite the intense pain and the imminent threat to his life, he refused to take cover or retreat. Instead, drawing upon immense reserves of determination, he charged forward towards the source of fire. In a close and intense exchange of fire, he displayed remarkable marksmanship and killed one militant at point-blank range. Severely wounded, he continued to press on. With sheer willpower, he crawled closer to the second militant position and unleashed a sustained burst of gunfire, neutralizing the second terrorist as well. His actions led to the recovery of two rifles and one pistol, dealing a major blow to the militant group. Though critically injured, Sepoy Daya Shankar held his ground until the threat was completely eliminated. Soon after, he succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. His fearless initiative and unmatched gallantry not only ensured the success of the operation but also saved the lives of many of his comrades, who could complete the mission without further casualties. For his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, Sepoy Daya Shankar was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, on 15 August 1997.

Sepoy Daya Shankar is survived by his wife Smt Nirmala Devi.

The citation for the ‘Kirti Chakra’ awarded to him reads :

On 5 August 1996, Sepoy Daya Shankar of the 14 RASHTRIYA RIFLES was part of a search operation in the village of Laharwalpora in the Baramulla District of Jammu & Kashmir. As his team approached a house where terrorists were hiding, Sepoy Daya Shankar was struck by militant fire while crossing an open area about 50 meters from the house. Despite being injured, he charged towards the militants. In a close firefight, he managed to kill one militant. Grievously injured, he bravely crawled towards the second militant and eliminated him with a sustained burst of gunfire. He successfully killed two militants. Two Rifles and One pistol were also recovered. Later, he succumbed to his injuries.