In a moment of immense pride for Himachal Pradesh and the nation, Captain Yogender Singh Thakur of 6 PARA (Special Forces) has been awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award, for displaying exceptional courage, battlefield leadership and unwavering devotion to duty during a counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The gallantry award was conferred by President Droupadi Murmu during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior military leaders.
From Himachal Pradesh to the Nation’s Elite Special Forces
Captain Thakur hails from Dart Bagla Panchayat in Jogindernagar subdivision of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. He is the son of Anil Thakur, a retired school principal, and Beena Devi, a homemaker.
An alumnus of Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Balkarupi, Jogindernagar, Captain Thakur was known for his academic excellence and active participation in school activities. Teachers and school administrators have described him as a disciplined and meritorious student who consistently secured top positions in class while excelling in cultural and co-curricular pursuits.
His achievement has brought immense pride not only to his family but also to the school, the Vidya Bharati family, the Jogindernagar region and the entire state of Himachal Pradesh.
The Heroic Operation
The operation that earned Captain Thakur the Shaurya Chakra took place in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, where intelligence agencies had reported the presence of terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed.
On 21 July 2025, Captain Thakur was tasked with leading a special mission to neutralise the terrorists operating in the remote and rugged terrain. During surveillance operations, his team detected suspicious movement approximately one kilometre away, prompting him to tactically reposition his ambush party to maintain observation.
On 26 July 2025, at around 0900 hours, the surveillance team spotted suspicious individuals nearly 300 metres away. Despite dense fog, near-zero visibility and adverse weather conditions, Captain Thakur held his position to ensure the terrorists could not escape and to prevent any unintended collateral damage.
Suddenly, the terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy fire on his team. Faced with an extremely dangerous situation, Captain Thakur displayed exceptional courage and composure. Ignoring the threat to his own life, he crawled forward under continuous enemy fire and manoeuvred closer to the terrorists.
Demonstrating extraordinary combat skills, tactical awareness and fearless leadership, he engaged the terrorists in a close-quarter battle. In the intense exchange, he successfully neutralised a hardcore terrorist, significantly contributing to the success of the mission and ensuring the safety of his fellow soldiers.
His swift and decisive action prevented the terrorists from escaping and eliminated a major threat to security forces and civilians in the region.
The Shaurya Chakra citation recognises Captain Thakur’s exceptional bravery, indomitable spirit, combat proficiency and unwavering commitment to mission success despite grave personal risk.
Inspiration for the Youth
The announcement of the award sparked celebrations across Jogindernagar and Mandi district, with villagers, educators and community leaders congratulating Captain Thakur and his family.
For his conspicuous gallantry, outstanding leadership, exceptional combat skills and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Yogender Singh Thakur has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, bringing glory to Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Army and the nation.
