Service No : IC-52412 W
Date of Birth : September 21, 1971
Place of birth : Lucknow , (UP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Captain
Unit : Spl Gp Unit/ASC
Arm/Regt : Army Service Corps
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Martyrdom : March 5, 1999
Capt Ajay Parashar
Capt Ajay Parashar was born on 21 September 1971 in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Son of late army veteran Col TR Parashar and Smt Ramesh Kumari Parashar, Capt Ajay had two sisters Anju and Mamta as his siblings. Inspired by his father, who served in the Army, Capt Ajay nursed the idea of donning the olive green right from his younger days. He got selected for the National Defence Academy and joined in January 1990 at the age of 18 years.
He joined the 83rd course, donning the Cheetah or Charlie squadron colours and represented the squadron in multiple sports. Popular with seniors, peers and juniors he passed out as a Divisional Cadet Captain in December 1993. Later he went to IMA Dehradun and got commissioned into the Army Service Corps in December 1994. After the commissioning as his first assignment, Capt Ajay did his attachment with the Bihar Regiment in the North East, where his exemplary performance with the battalion in counterinsurgency operations earned him accolades.
Subsequently, Capt Ajay underwent Young Officer’s course at the ASC Centre and College, where he was awarded the Commandant’s medal for excellence. Later while posted with an ASC Bn in Udhampur, Capt Ajay‘s go-getter attitude, inherent enthusiasm and exemplary level of motivation drove him to volunteer for the special forces. Consequently, in March 1998, Capt Ajay joined the 'Special Group' after clearing probation with flying colours and earning the coveted ‘maroon beret’. The 'Special Group' was considered to be composed of the most elite soldiers of Indian Army and its responsibilities included conducting daredevil operations entailing high risk. He then underwent his paratrooper training in Apr 1998 and earned his ‘Para wings’.
Doda Operation : 05 Mar 1999
Capt Ajay was the Second in Command of Charlie team when it got inducted into the militancy hotbed of Doda in November 1998. In the following period, Capt Ajay and his comrades undertook relentless operations against the terrorists that resulted in commendable operational results. Capt Ajay's team launched multiple special operations in the mountains surrounding Doda and he always led them from the front. He led one more such operation on 05 Mar 1999.
On 05 Mar 1999, the team operating base of Capt Ajay came under attack by a group of heavily armed terrorists. Capt Ajay rising to the occasion, swung into action and launched counter attack along with his troops. Displaying extraordinary leadership and courage, Capt Ajay quickly redeployed the troops and charged at the terrorists. However during the heavy exchange of fire, Capt Ajay got severely injured but continued to lead the operation. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Ajay Parashar was a gritty and committed officer, who led his men from the front and laid down his life, following the highest traditions of the Indian army.
Capt Ajay Parashar is survived by his mother Smt Ramesh Kumari Parashar and two sisters Dr Anju Parashar Mallik & Smt Mamta Parashar Atri.
Shalini Gurnani
2021 at 10:40 pmAjay passed his HS from Army school, Srinagar where his father col Parashar was posted in 1989. Ajay from his school days dreamt and walked and talked of going the Army. Perfectly polished, chivalrous even in his teens, there was no other career he would choose. He wholly and souls dedicated himself for his NDA exams and was a shining cadet in NDA . He continued to be passionate until his last breath. He was a brave heart ♥️. He was a dear classmate and friend .
Mamta Parashar Atri
2021 at 11:01 pmHi Shalini,
I am overwhelmed with gratitude after reading your write up for Ajay. It is so kind of you to fondly remember him even after so many years!!! He was blessed to have such lovely set of friends or rather I should say “affectionate extended family “
Please let me know your contact number, I would love to speak with you.
Col Akshay Sharma
2021 at 4:29 pmMy first memories of Ajay or Monty as we used to call him go back to the carefree summer holidays in our ancestral house in Delhi where he taught me the nuances of kite flying, Attari video games and Luna riding. As we grew into teenagers I remained in awe of him for his sporting prowess and ability to stand up to bullies.
I joined NDA three courses after him and have the fondest recollection of spending or as they say in NDA “taking lift”, during the turbulent Junior terms, in his cabin on Sundays.
As a young officer, I still remember envying his immaculate bachelor’s room lined with medals and trophies.
Coincidentally, both of us joined the Special group in 1997-98 and it was a treat to watch Ajay train and motivate his men.
Remembering that fateful March Day still brings a lump in the throat….
And it can only be summarised in the following immortal lines written by a paratrooper
‘ The Gods of War and the Ghosts they create…
Heroes n Villians ,
Moments of daring n defeat
All those transcendental moments that make up ‘combat’
Alien to the uninitiated and invisible to the outsider
But
Central to the hearts and minds of those who ‘ still live it’…..
God bless you Monty
Capt Ajay Prashar on extreme left with offrs of Special Group during the Raising Day celebrations in 1998.
Maj Gen ND Prasad
2021 at 12:45 pmAjay was my Cadet in C Sqn. It gave me a great sense of pride to see Ajay bloom in the Academy and perform most exceptionally as a Cadet. Full of “Josh”, he was a role model & an inspiration for peers and juniors in the Sqn. He thrived under pressure and always excelled. He was a true leader and this brought out the best in him as an Officer. I found Ajay a highly motivated Cadet who left no stone unturned to get the job at hand done with perfection. He will be remembered by one and all for his selfless service and supreme sacrifice in defence of the Nation in the true traditions of the Indian Army.
Air Cmde Arun Malik
2021 at 3:30 pmCapt Ajay Parashar was my brother-in-law. I am married to his elder sister Dr Anju Parashar.
My association began with Ajay in 1994, the year I met his sister Anju. It was always a pleasure to interact with him, though our association was relatively limited, as we both were posted to different stations/units.
An extremely motivated and competent professional, his passion and dedication towards the armed forces was inspirational. He put in his best into everything that he did and resultantly came out with flying colours in every course that he undertook.
A loving son and brother, I could literally sense and feel the emotions that he evoked in his entire family by the love my wife and In-laws felt for him.
His untimely expiry left us all in a pall of gloom. But I am extremely proud of my association with Ajay. He will always be remembered by one and all for the excellent human being and professional he was
May his soul always RIP.
Miss you Ajay.
Mehar Bhatnagar
2021 at 6:19 pmReading about his display of Valour in the Doda Operation, was an inspiring and motivating incident. It is an honor for me to have the opportunity of being born in a Nation where Legends like him have tread and breathed in.
Knowing about his Supreme sacrifice, I respect his family and the loved ones left behind. The Nation looks up to you and respects you for the Supreme Sacrifice of Captain Ajay Parashar in the Service of his Motherland.
Praying for Peace to the departed warrior.
Jai Hind
Mrudula Bandugula
2021 at 9:52 amCaptain Ajay Prashar’s valour made me proud of being born as an Indian. His utmost sincerity and dedication towards the nation left me teary eyed. He acted with courage when his team and the country needed him the most. We as Indians will forever be proud of you and grateful for your contributions.
Although I never knew him personally, I will surely remember his sacrifice for our country. I wish his family a great deal of strength. I will always remember him in my prayers and thoughts.