Capt Sanjay Arya SM

Capt Sanjay Arya was born on 31 March 1977 and since his childhood aspired to don the military uniform. He continued to follow his dream while growing up and eventually  got selected to join the Officers’ Training academy Chennai after his graduation. He was commissioned into 5/8 GR battalion of 8 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle honours. Very soon the young lieutenant Sanjay Arya gained expertise in field craft skills and developed into a tough soldier and fine officer.

By 2003, he had been promoted to the rank of a Capt and while posted at Jammu he got married to Ms Shyamali on 11 May 2003. The couple got blessed with a daughter Ruchika in the year 2004. However the destiny had something else in store for Capt Sanjay Arya and he attained martyrdom in the same very year.

Champhai Operation : 11th Dec 2004

During 2004, Capt Sanjay Arya was on deputation to 25 Assam Rifles battalion deployed in Mizoram. The unit’s AOR (Area of Responsibility) ran along the Mizoram-Myanmar international border and was affected by active militancy. As a number of militants were active in its AOR, the unit troops had to maintain a very high vigil at all times and had to undertake operations at a short notice. One such operation was undertaken by the unit on 11 Dec 2004 under the leadership of Capt Sanjay Arya.

On 11th December 2004, Capt Sanjay Arya led a combing operation based on the information from the intelligence sources about the presence of insurgents at Vaphai hamlet in Champhai district of Mizoram. As Capt Sanjay Arya and his troops reached the suspected area and launched the operation, they came under attack by the militants A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with heavy exchange of fire. Capt Sanjay Arya led the attack from the front using his men tactically to block the escape routes of the militants. However during the operation, Capt Sanjay Arya received gun shots and was seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Sanjay Arya was a committed soldier and gritty officer who laid down his life in the line of his duty. He was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” for his valour, leadership and supreme sacrifice.

Capt Sanjay Arya’s wife, Smt Shyamali later followed into the footsteps of her husband and joined the Army in the year 2005. Capt Sanjay Arya is survived by his mother Smt Amer Devi, wife Lt Col Shyamali, and daughter Ruchika.