Anuj Sood

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Anuj Sood

Born(1989-12-17)17 December 1989
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Died2 May 2020(2020-05-02) (aged 30)
Handwara, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir
AllegianceIndia
Service/branchIndian Army
Years of service2012–2020
RankMajor
Service numberIC–76429H[1]
Unit
AwardsShaurya Chakra
Alma mater
Spouse(s)Aakriti Singh Sood
RelationsBrigadier Chandrakant Sood (father)

Major Anuj Sood, SC (17 Dec 1989 – 2 May 2020)[2] was an Indian Army Officer who received the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.[3] He was a member of the 19th Battalion, Brigade of Guards and 21st Rashtriya Rifles Battalion.[4][5] He was martyred in action while serving with the latter in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir.[6][7]

Early life and education[edit]

Sood was born in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Later relocated to Chandigarh. He was born on 17 December 1989, in Air Force Command Hospital Bengaluru, to Brigadier Chandrakant Sood (retd.) and Smt Ragini Sood.[8][9][10][11] He did his schooling from Army Public School, Udhampur, T-Morh, Jammu and Kashmir, and after that from Punjab Public School, Nabha. In 2008, having cleared AIEEE, he met all eligibility criteria for joining the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), but chose the National Defence Academy instead.[12][13] From his childhood, he aspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Indian Army Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.[7]

Military career[edit]

Sood was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun on 9 June 2012. After completing his training as a young Lieutenant, he handled regimental duties such as Adjutant and Platoon Commander, before being appointed as Aide-de-camp to General Officer Commanding 14 RAPID for a period of 13 months. He then went on to complete the Junior Command Courses at Army War College, Mhow, where he excelled. Sood later married Akriti Sood. Akriti Sood is a software engineer and daughter of a Navy Marine Commando.[14] On 4 March 2018, Sood was assigned to the 21 Rashtriya Rifles (Guards).[15]

Shaurya Chakra[edit]

Citation[edit]

Sood was awarded the nation's third highest peacetime gallantry award 'Shaurya Chakra' on 26 January 2021 for his supreme sacrifice during Operation Chanjimula.[16][17][18][19] Major Anuj Sood's Shaurya Chakra Citation is as follows:

CITATION

MAJOR ANUJ SOOD

21 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (BRIGADE OF GUARDS)

Major Anuj Sood was leading the men of his Company during `Operation Chanjimula' on 02 May 2020. During the operation the officer laid the cordon at the suspected house with his Combat Action Team. Unmindful of his personal safety he along with the Commanding Officer and three other individuals moved inside the house to evacuate the civilians trapped inside and being taken as hostages by the terrorists. The Gallant officer in the ensuing fire fight with the terrorists showcased utmost grid, valour and bravery and made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life in the finest traditions of the Indian Army and injured the terrorists with nefarious designs.

— Gazette of India Notification, [20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-3)". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. ^ Negi, Pankaj (25 January 2021). "Story of Major Anuj Sood Shaurya Chakra [Citation]". SSBCrackExams - India's No.1 Learning Platform For Defence Aspirants. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. ^ Man Aman Singh Chhina (26 January 2021). "Major Anuj Sood awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously". The Indian Express. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  4. ^ Roy, Divyanshu (5 May 2020). "Photo Of Handwara Braveheart's Mourning Wife Chokes Up Thousands". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Major Anuj Sood killed in Handwara encounter cremated in Chandigarh". The Tribune. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  6. ^ Gupta, Jayanta (8 May 2020). "Friends and family remember Major Anuj Sood as a gentleman and a brave officer". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Major Anuj Sood: School recalls teenager who dreamt of becoming an Army officer". The Indian Express. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  8. ^ Handwara encounter: 'My son made a supreme sacrifice', says late Major Anuj Sood's father, retrieved 19 September 2021
  9. ^ Major Anuj Sood who lost his life in Handwara encounter cremated with state honours in Chandigarh, retrieved 19 September 2021
  10. ^ "Handwara encounter: Martyr Major Anuj Sood's father says 'proud of my son, gave biggest sacrifice for India'". www.timesnownews.com. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  11. ^ "हंदवाड़ा शहीद मेजर सूद 22 मार्च को आने वाले थे घर, लॉकडाउन की वजह से कैंसिल हुईं छुट्टियां | Handwara Martyr Major Anuj Sood father says he was trained for death - Hindi Oneindia". hindi.oneindia.com (in Hindi). 4 May 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  12. ^ Raghavendra, Shukla (25 January 2021). IIT छोड़ सैनिक बने थे शहीद मेजर अनुज सूद, कश्मीर में आतंकियों से लड़ते गंवाई थी जान, शौर्य चक्र से होंगे सम्मानित. Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  13. ^ Manjeet, Sahgal (3 May 2020). हंदवाड़ा में शहीद मेजर अनुज का सेना से पुराना नाता, IIT छोड़ चुनी थी NDA की राह. Aaj Tak (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  14. ^ Masih, Archana (2 July 2020). "Remembering a Hero". Rediff. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Handwara martyr Major Anuj Sood cremated in Chandigarh". Hindustan Times. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Major Anuj Sood cremated with military honours". The Hindu. 6 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  17. ^ "President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". www.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  18. ^ "फौज के लिए ठुकराया कैंब्रिज यूनिवर्सिटी का ऑफर, 31 साल की उम्र में शहीद मेजर अनुज सूद को क्‍यों मिला शौर्य चक्र". TV9 Hindi (in Hindi). 27 January 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  19. ^ chaitanyesh.dr. "Republic Day: Paying our gratitude to these great men who served the nation selflessly". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  20. ^ Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India, retrieved 18 September 2021

External links[edit]