Kin of martyr Major seeks naming of Ambala airport in his honour

The family of martyr Major Yogesh Gupta, who was killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Surankote in July 2002, has renewed its plea for recognition of his sacrifice by naming the soon-to-be-operational domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment after him.

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While the airport’s civil work is complete and security installations are underway, Vikas Gupta, brother of the martyr, has sent letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Cabinet Minister Anil Vij and Army officials urging them to consider the request.

“My brother, martyr Major Yogesh Gupta, serving with 25 Rashtriya Rifles, laid down his life on July 12, 2002, fighting terrorists. Despite being shot in the abdomen, he killed four terrorists before succumbing to his injuries,” Gupta said.

He recalled that the Army had initially told the family that Major Gupta’s name had been recommended for the Ashok Chakra. “However, we later learned that the branch concerned had not received the citation. In 2017, Army headquarters informed us that honours are conferred within a specific time frame and it was now not feasible to process it,” he added.

“My parents died carrying the pain that their son's valour was overlooked. Our efforts for a gallantry award went in vain, but we still seek justice and remembrance,” said Vikas.

The family had earlier managed to get a chowk in Ambala Cantonment named after Major Gupta in 2019, and a bust was installed there in 2020. But they believe more must be done to ensure his name is remembered beyond the local community.

“If not a gallantry award, then at least the new airport can bear his name to honour his sacrifice. That will be a true tribute,” Vikas said.