Shaurya Chakra for two brave Majors from state

Two brave sons of Haryana, Major Aashish Dhonchak of Panipat and Major Ashish Dahiya of Sonepat, were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday for their exceptional courage in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Major Dhonchak was conferred the award posthumously for laying down his life in the line of duty.

Major Aashish Dhonchak, 36, of Binjhol village in Panipat, was martyred on September 13, 2023, during a fierce encounter with terrorists in the Garol area of Kokernag, Anantnag district. Serving with the 19th Rashtriya Rifles of the Sikh Light Infantry, he led a search operation alongside Sepoy Pardeep Singh when they came under heavy terrorist fire. Despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, both soldiers continued to retaliate, enabling their team to regroup and neutralise the threat. One of the terrorists killed was a Category 'B' militant.

Major Dhonchak’s mother Kamla Devi and wife Jyoti received the award from the President. His uncle recalled his early ambition to join the Army, which he pursued even while doing his MTech. He was promoted to Major in 2018 and had served in Rajouri, Meerut and Bathinda before his final posting in J&K. The family had planned a housewarming celebration on his birthday, October 23 — a plan left incomplete by his martyrdom.

In another emotional tribute, Major Ashish Dahiya of Kakroi village in Sonepat was also awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his leadership and bravery during high-risk operations in South Kashmir. Serving with the Corps of Engineers in 50 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Dahiya was instrumental in eliminating four terrorists and defusing three IEDs since June 2022.

In a key operation in Pulwama on June 2, 2023, Major Dahiya risked his life to evacuate a wounded comrade and then single-handedly neutralised an A category terrorist at close range. His heroics under intense fire earned praise for his "audacious planning and intrepid execution."

Major Dahiya, who joined the Army through NDA in 2011, comes from a family steeped in military service. His late father was a Lance Naik, his twin brother Anish is also a Major posted at Siachen, and his wife, Major Anusha, serves as a UN military observer in South Sudan.