Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav of 18 Grenadiers led the climb on Tiger Hill on 3/4 July 1999 and silenced enemy fire despite multiple wounds.
The rope on Tiger Hill
The Ghatak Platoon of 18 Grenadiers went for Tiger Hill on the night of 3/4 July 1999. The approach, at 16,500 feet by the citation's figure, was steep, rocky and under snow. Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav volunteered to go first and fixed the rope the team climbed behind him.
Near the top, the enemy opened up with automatic weapons, grenades, rockets and artillery. His team commander and two others fell, and the platoon's advance stopped.
Four killed in close combat
He crawled towards the position and was hit by several bullets. He kept moving, threw grenades inside and fired his own weapon. The citation records four enemy soldiers killed in close combat and the automatic fire silenced.
He was hit again during the charge and, in critical condition, refused evacuation. The rest of the platoon went on to the other positions and captured the top.
Bulandshahr to Honorary Captain
He was born on 10 May 1980 at Aurangabad Ahir, Bulandshahr, in Uttar Pradesh. His father had served with 11 Kumaon. The Ministry of Defence profile describes him as the youngest recipient of the award. The citation spells his name Yogender.
He retired on 31 December 2021 as an Honorary Captain.
The citation
GRENADIER YOGENDER SINGH YADAV (2690572), 18 GRENADIERS
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav was part of leading team of Ghatak Platoon tasked to capture Tiger Hill on night 03/04 July 1999. The approach to the top, at a height of 16,500 feet, was steep, snow bound and rocky. He volunteered to be in the lead and fixed rope for his team to climb up, unmindful of the risk involved.
The enemy, on seeing his team approach the area top, opened intense automatic, grenade, rocket and artillery fire. His team commander and two of his colleagues fell to murderous enemy fire. The further advance of Ghatak Platoon was stalled. Knowing the gravity of the situation, he crawled up to the enemy position to silence it, but sustained multiple bullet injuries. Unmindful of his injuries and hail of enemy bullets, he continued towards the enemy positions and lobbed grenades inside; and fired from his weapon, killing four enemy soldiers in close combat and silenced the automatic fire.
During the charge, he again sustained multiple bullet injuries but refused to be evacuated even in critical condition. Inspired by his gallant act, the rest of the Ghatak Platoon charged on to the other positions, and captured Tiger Hill Top, a National Objective.
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav, thus, displayed most conspicuous courage, indomitable spirit, grit and determination under extreme difficult situation beyond call of duty.
Source: Ministry of Defence gallantry awards record. Reproduced as printed, including any errors in the original.
Cover image: Shiv Aroor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized for this page. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yogendra_Singh_Yadav_PVC_%28cropped%29.jpg