Major Anurag Nauriyal KC

Major Anurag Nauriyal hailed from Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Son of Shri JP Nauriyal, he developed strong inclination to serve in the Armed Forces since his school days. Consequently he got selected for the prestigious NDA after his schooling. Subsequently he went to IMA(Indian Military Academy) for his further training. He passed out of the IMA as a 2nd Lt in December 1973 and became a commissioned officer at the age of 21 years. He was commissioned into 4/1 GR battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, an infantry regiment known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle and theater honours.

He evolved into a lively, mild-tempered, and compassionate officer. Though soft-spoken and jovial, he radiated courage and determination. He was adventurous by nature and volunteered to become a para commando. After rigorous selection process and training he became a para commando and became part of 10 Para(SF), a special forces battalion raised in 1967 and specialized in Desert Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations. After serving for sometime, he got married to  Ms Uma, who hailed from the same Garhwali community he belonged to, on 14 Apr 1981. Multi-linguist, talented and a man of principles, he was against any dowry and arranged the marriage with the consent of both families taking only Rs 1.25 as Shagun. The couple was later blessed with a daughter Vridhi, and son Akshit. 

He also took part in Sri Lankan operations as part of operation Pawan in 1989. In one of operations as part of India’s Peacekeeping mission in Sri Lanka, he got injured and damaged one nerve of his finger. He was admitted to the military hospital in Pune for over 2 months and recovered from his injuries. Later he got posted to western border in Punjab, which was in the grip of militancy at that time. 

Ferozepur Operation : 23rd October 1990

During October 1990, Major Anurag Nauriyal was serving as Brigade Major with 48 Infantry Brigade deployed in Ferozepur in Punjab. At that time, the state of Punjab was afflicted with militancy and the Army units were engaged in various counter insurgency and internal security operations. On 23 Oct 1990, information was received about the presence of a group of militants in the AOR(Area of Responsibility) of the Brigade. The militants were posing a threat to the civilian population too. A decision was taken buy the Army to launch an operation to nab the militants and neutralize the immediate threat. Major Anurag Nauriyal was tasked to undertake that operation along with a team of soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer. Major Anurag Nauriyal and his comrades swung into action and set off for the suspected area.

As the operation was launched, Major Anurag Nauriyal and his soldiers came under fire.  Major Anurag Nauriyal rising to the occasion, quickly redeployed his troops and immediately retaliated. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with heavy exchange of fire. He then noticed that his JCO had got injured and needed to be moved to safety. He then moved forward, without caring for his safety and successfully extricated the JCO from the firing zone. During this process, Major Anurag Nauriyal suffered bullet injuries and got injured. Undeterred, with utter disregard to his own personal safety, Major Anurag Nauriyal continued to lead the operation from the front exercising full command and control, which led to one terrorist being eliminated. However Major Anurag Nauriyal later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Major Anurag Nauriyal was a valiant soldier and an officer par excellence,  who laid down his life in the line of his duty. Major Anurag Nauriyal was given the nation's second highest peacetime gallantry award, "Kirti Chakra" posthumously for his gallantry, leadership and supreme sacrifice. 

Major Anurag Nauriyal is survived by his wife Smt Uma Nauriyal, daughter Dr Vridhi and son  Shri Akshit Nauriyal. 

• Indian Oil Corporation retail, petrol pump outlet located, in Sector 52, Noida is dedicated to Maj Anurag Nauriyal in his honour. 
• In Noida, a memorial by Shaheed Smarak Sanstha is dedicated to the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. Major Anurag Nauriyal's name is inscribed on the memorial as a mark of respect for him.