Major Sudhir Walia (Ashok Chakra), Posthumous

Major Sudhir Kumar, 9 Parachute (Special Forces), SM plus Bar to SM hailing from District Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), was commissioned into the 3rd Jat Regiment on 11 June 1988. . On 29 August 1999, Major Kumar led an assault on a militant hideout in Kupwara district. He killed four militants before succumbing to their bullets. However, till the end came, he was directing his commandos on radio set and refused evacuation in spite of serious injuries on his chest, face and arms. For his conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, Major Sudhir Kumar was awarded the highest peace-time gallantry medal, Ashoka Chakra, posthumously. His father, former Subedar Major Rulia Ram Walia, received the award from the President of India, on behalf of his brave son.