Service No: IC-36177
Date of Birth : Jul 1, 1953
Birth Place : Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
Service: Army
Last Rank: Lt Colonel
Unit: 10 Bihar
Regiment: The Bihar Regiment
Operation: Op Rakshak (J&K)
Awards: Ashoka Chakra
Date of Martyrdom : Nov 29,1994
Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was born on 1st of July 1953 in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. Son of Sri Rajendra Singh Gaur, Lt Col Gaur had undergone his earlier education in his hometown and later finished his graduation in 1972 from CM Nehru college. In September of 1973, he joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and was commissioned into the Bihar Regiment on 12th May 1974. After passing out from the Academy , he served in various operational areas in different units and formations.
An alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Lt Col Gaur also served as an Instructor in the infantry school. By 1994 he had put in about twenty years of service in the army and had evolved into a battle-hardened soldier and a fine officer. Later he was posted as the commanding officer of 10 Bihar battalion deployed at Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Baramulla Operation: 29 Nov 1994
In 1994, Lt Col Gaur’s unit was deployed in Baramulla district of J & K and was engaged in counterinsurgency operations. Lt Col Gaur believed in leading from the front and would often lead the operations himself against the terrorists. On 29th November 1994, his unit received information from the intelligence sources about the presence of 10 to 12 terrorists in Bazipura village of Baramulla district. After analyzing the situation Lt Col Gaur planned a search and cordon operation in the suspected area. Keeping in view the expected scale of operation , Lt Col Gaur decided to lead the operation himself. As planned the assault team cordoned off the area and launched the search and combing operation.
While the search operation was underway, at around 0700 hrs the terrorists fired at the troops triggering a gun battle. Lt Col Gaur quickly redeployed his troops tactically so that all escape routes for the terrorists could be blocked. Despite heavy exchange of fire, he kept moving forward from a flank and reached close to the firing position of the mercenaries. Lt Col Gaur’s bold and unexpected action completely unnerved the terrorists and in the ensuing exchange of fire, he killed three terrorists. Later he went ahead to neutralize the Universal Machine Gun that was firing at him from behind a rock. With bullets flying all around him, he bravely crawled forward and lobbed a hand grenade at the gun position, killing yet another terrorist and silenced the gun. However during the fierce exchange of fire Lt Col Gaur got seriously wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. Lt Col Gaur was an exemplary soldier and an officer par excellence who inspired his troops by leading from the front.
Lt Col Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was given the nation’s highest peace time gallantry award, ” Ashok Chakra” for his extraordinary courage, dedication to duty and supreme sacrifice.
The citation for Ashoka Chakra awarded to him reads:-
Lt Col Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was Commanding 10 Bihar which was deployed in J&K. On 29 November 1994, he received an information that 10 to 12 foreign mercenaries were hiding in Dazipura village of Baramulla district. He immediately organised a combing operation to flush out the mercenaries. While combing the area along with his Quick Reaction Team at 0700 hours, he came under heavy gun fire of the mercenaries. Lieutenant Colonel Gaur quickly readjusted two companies so that all escape routes could be blocked while he himself got down to neutralise the gun fire. Despite heavy exchange of fire, he kept moving forward from a flank and reached close to the firing position of the mercenaries. His bold and unexpected action completely surprised the mercenaries. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he killed three mercenaries. Later he went ahead to neutralise the Universal Machine Gun that was firing at him from behind a rock. With bullets flying all around him, he bravely crawled forward and lobbed a hand grenade at the gun position, killing yet another mercenary and silenced the gun. During the encounter, he himself was fatally wounded. The sacrifice made by him was an act of courage,beyond the call of duty that set an example of grit and dogged determination to fight the militants. For the daredevil act Lt Col Harsh Uday Singh Gaur was posthumously awarded.
Anurag Singh Gaur
2018 at 3:47 pmHe was and will remain a real life Hero and a very good example in our family. He became a Hero for the country and made every Indian proud with his Gallantry Award. We all miss him immensely.
Thanks to the Government of India and the Defence Organization for recognising his sacrifice and granting him the Honor’s.
On 1st July his birth anniversary we will gather to pay our respect on inaugural function of his Statue at Shahid Udyan Opp DM Bungalow, Hardoi, UP.
Meghna
2020 at 11:42 amA true hero.. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. God bless your family always Sir! Jai Hind!
Manish Singh Gaur
2019 at 2:59 pmI am proude for him
COL SUNIL KUMAR CHAND
2019 at 3:37 pmA handsome, cheerful and a FEARLESS yet humane Officer- a friend and senior who was awarded for his outstanding leadership and bravery but is missed everyday since
29 Nov 1994………! Was a GEM to his troops and subordinates……A FORCEFUL SALUTE to the Gallant Soldier…!
vidhyanshu gaur
2020 at 6:59 pmA great father and a dedicated soldier. Was never afraid of anyone and always willing to help out others.
We all miss you.
Your son
Vidhyanshu Gaur
Neeraj Agarwal
2023 at 11:45 pmHi Vidhyanshu:
If you read my comments above, I was your dad’s friend in intermediate in RR College, Hardoi. I am very interested to learn about you and your mom. If possible, write to me (email below).
Neeraj
VISHAL SHARMA(samar)
2020 at 5:40 pmHe was very great soldier in my home vill. NEER,HARDOI , U.P
MAJID SIDDIQUI
2022 at 5:55 pmProud to be his unit officer.
A gentleman and a warrior, every young soldier in Indian Army looks on you sir for inspiration.
Neeraj Agarwal
2023 at 11:41 pmWe both attended RR College in Hardoi for our intermediate (11th and 12th grade). We had a group of friends (Rajeev Kapoor, and Naresh Shukla) together including Harsh Udai. We had a great time as kids and enjoyed our time. After finishing 12th grade, I moved to Panjab University for BSc and lost touch with him as he moved to Indian Army. Later I moved to US in 1982. I often think about him. I am so proud of him for his sacrifice to our nation. This 26th Jan 2023, I salute him. I would like to learn about his kids and wife.