Date of Birth : December 18, 1987

Place of birth : Dehradun, U'khand

Service : Army

Last Rank : Major

Unit : 55 RR/EME

Arm/Regt : The Corps of EME

Awards : Shaurya Chakra

Martyrdom : February 18, 2019

Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal SC

Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal hailed from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and was born on 18 Dec 1987. Son of Shri OP Dhondiyal and Smt Saroj Dhondiyal, Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal had three sisters and was the youngest among his siblings. Maj Vibhuti’s father as well as grandfather had worked in the office of Controller Defence Accounts. Maj Vibhuti studied from St Joseph Academy Dehradun and later completed his graduation from DAV college at Dehradun. He was very keen to join the Armed Forces right from his childhood and continued to pursue his dream while studying. Soon after his graduation, he cleared the Combined Defence Services Examination and got selected to join the Army. He was commissioned on 18 Sep 2011 into the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), a branch of the Indian Army, responsible for design, development, trial, inspection and refit of weapon systems and equipment. 

 

As a young Lieutenant, he was sent on attachment to an infantry unit 17 Mahar, deployed at Nangi Tekra in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district in J&K. He soon honed his field craft skills and evolved into a committed soldier. After his tenure in J&K along the LOC, he served in varous Army formations in Rajasthan, Pune and Secundrabad. He also underwent a number of training courses from 2013 to 2017 at various Army Institutes, which equipped him with the knowledge of military tactics and leadership.  After serving for a few years with his parent Corps, Maj Vibhuti in the year 2018, was deputed to serve with 55 RR Battalion, deployed in J & K for counterinsurgency operations. Maj Vibhuti intially functioned as Officer Commanding of Field Repair Increment (FRI) of EME, but later took over as Company Commander of Delta company of 55 RR battalion. Maj Vibhuti later got married to Ms Nitika Kaul belonging to a Delhi-based Kashmiri family on 19th April 2018.

 

Pulwama Operation: 18 Feb 2019

 

During 2018-2019, Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal’s unit 55 RR, was deployed in Pulwama district in J&K and was engaged in operations against the militants on a regular basis. Following the terrorists’ attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on 14 Feb 2019, the security forces were maintaining a state of high alert, and subsequently, a massive operation was launched to nab the perpetrators of the attack. On 17 Feb 2019, the security forces received credible information from the intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Pinglan village of Pulwama district. Based on the intelligence inputs 55 RR along with the Special Operation Group of J & K Police launched a search and destroy operation in Pinglan a neighborhood of Kakpora the home of the terrorist, who had attacked the CRPF convoy on 14 Feb.

 

The assault team was being led by Brigadier Harbir Singh himself and Maj Vibhuti was part of the team. The operation was launched in the night of 17 Feb with fog and poor visibility conditions making the matters worse. At around 1 AM, Maj Vibhuti and his QRT members reached the suspected house and carried out an extensive search. Following a footprint trail, Maj Vibhuti and his comrades reached a cattle shed on the other side of the house. As they moved closer to the shed,  the terrorists opened fire. As Maj Vibhuti was leading the team, he bore the brunt of the attack and received multiple gun shots. Undeterred, Maj Vibhuti immediately swung into action and ordered his men to reorganize and attack. Despite being injured, Maj Vibhuti crawled forward and managed to eliminate one terrorist. In a desperate attempt to flee, the remaining terrorists threw a grenade which proved fatal for Maj Vibhuti and his valiant men. The injured soldiers were shifted to the Army Hospital but Maj Vibhuti and three of his comrades Hav Sheo Ram, Sep Ajay Kumar and Sep Hari Singh, succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Maj Vibhuti was a valiant soldier and a fine officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the service of the nation, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

 

Maj Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal is survived by his mother Smt Saroj Dhondiyal, wife Smt Nitika Kaul Dhondiyal, and three sisters. Later carrying forward the legacy of her husband, Smt Nitika Kaul joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps in May 2021.

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86 Comments
  • Chander B Dhoundiyal

    2022 at 9:41 pm Reply

    My eyes are in tears and they will always remain in such a state whenever your name will be recalled or your photo appears. Such a great feat in an young age. You lived to your name Vibhuti. My profoundest tributes to you my son Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal. You are proud to the India in general and to all the Dhoundiyals community in particular.

  • UNKNOWN

    2022 at 9:41 pm Reply

    18-02-2022 YOU WILL NEVER BE GONE , IT IS JUST THAT YOU HAVE BEEN POSTED AT SOME UNREACHABLE STATION AND THERE WILL BE A DAY WHEN YOU WILL COME BACK
    YOUR BRAVERY INSPIRES MANY
    AS THEY SAY KUCH LOG AMAR HO JATE HAIN
    JAI HIND
    AND YES 19-02-2019 MANY ‘UNKOWNS’ GOT INSPIRED

  • Saloni patel

    2022 at 9:41 pm Reply

    Today’s 14 Feb 2022, still i am unable to fill the void you left us in our hearts on this very black day two years ago.The only thought that gives us mental strength is that you and other soldiers like you are always there to protect us whatever the situation comes. Words cannot express the love , respect and Pride that I being an Indian have for brave soldiers like you.The strong and patriotic army men like you are the reason for our smiles and families that are protected.
    Hope will able to meet you one in person in next birth.
    Salute to your sacrifice and bravery Major Vibhuti Shakar Dhoundiyal.
    Big big respect to you Nitika ma’am. Heart pounds with respect and Pride on looking at you.

  • N Rangarajan

    2022 at 9:41 pm Reply

    What a great soldier Late Major Mr.Doundiyal was!! Unfortunately, he succumbed to the injuries inflicted by the enemies of India, enemies of Indian Army and enemies of Kashmiris. How great to see his wife, in army uniform, receiving Shaurya chakra, from President of India along with the mother of Mr.Daundiyal. When are we going to ultimately wipe out the terrorists in Kashmir valley and rescue the kashmiri people from their clutches?

  • Pawan Sheokand

    2022 at 9:41 pm Reply

    Kya kahu …..
    Kaise utaar payenge inka karz.
    Maj Vibhuti Amar Rahe

  • Devna Dave

    2022 at 9:42 pm Reply

    The incident of Pulwama terror attack was the grave loss for India, losing its diamonds to such a tragedy. While you and your fellow mates might not be us physically, your contribution has left an impact on our lives and stayed with us in spirits. It takes a lot of courage and sacrifice to become a soldier. You are our true role model and inspiration.

  • மூ. செந்தில்குமார்.

    2022 at 9:42 pm Reply

    மரணம் மாவீரனுக்கு தரப்படும் மலர்ச்செண்டு… சிப்பாய்கள் ஒருபொழுதும் இறப்பதில்லை… வீர வணக்கம்..

  • Gaurav Sharma

    2022 at 9:42 pm Reply

    किसी भी इंसान को किसी भी परिस्थिति में खुद को देखकर निराश नहीं होना चाहिए।

  • Pushparani

    2022 at 9:42 pm Reply

    Nithika will be a Great inspiration to many Younger Generations.
    A Courageous & Strong person who will be motivating many people in & around .
    Wish you all Sucess in you Endeavors.
    Jai Hind

  • Brajesh Kumar Shukla -

    2022 at 9:43 pm Reply

    Sat sat Naman . Jai hind

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