Fearless Tales: From hills to frontline — Capt Ashok Kumar Chauhan won Vir Chakra during Operation Pawan
Captain Ashok Kumar Chauhan’s 26 Punjab battalion landed at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka on September 10, 1987, and joined 54 Infantry Division as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).
After getting familiar with the terrain and guerilla tactics of the Tamil militants, the battalion soon made its presence felt by conducting a series of successful search and destroy operations in jungles and built-up areas. During one such operation, Captain Ashok Kumar Chauhan was awarded Vir Chakra.
The battle account on his bravery of a high order which earned him the award, reads: “During Operation Pawan, Captain Ashok Kumar Chauhan was Company Commander of ‘C’ Company of 26 Punjab battalion deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. On October 10, 1987, while patrolling his area of responsibility, the officer observed a suspicious looking mob in a nearby cemetery. He immediately rushed towards them, but came under heavy automatic fire from a nearby building. Without caring for his safety, he crawled under the fire and attacked the militant’s position."
Col Ashok Kumar Chauhan post-retirement.
“Two grenades were hurled at him resulting in splinter injury to his right thigh. Although bleeding profusely, he climbed on to the roof of the building. Seeing three guerillas attempting to escape, he leapt on them. After a long chase he fired and injured one of them. The patrol recovered sizable quantity of arms and ammunition. In the action, Captain Ashok Kumar Chauhan showed presence of mind, valour and utmost devotion to duty of a high order, for which he was awarded the Vir Chakra,” the account added.
Coll Ashok Kumar Chauhan with family post-retirement.
Distinguished soldier
Captain Ashok Kumar Chauhan, a distinguished soldier and the pride of Himachal Pradesh, was born on August 10, 1960, to Bahadur Singh Chauhan in Solan. Belonging to a family of orchardist parents, hailing from Rohru in Shimla, he spent his early years in Solan and completed schooling from St Luke’s School from 1965 to 1976. He pursued higher studies at DAV College, Chandigarh, where his inclination toward national service grew stronger.
Motivated by a deep sense of duty, Chauhan joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) and was commissioned into the 26 Punjab on March 30, 1982. As a young officer, he displayed exceptional leadership and soon rose to become Company Commander before the launch of Operation Pawan, while serving under the 340 Independent Infantry Brigade Group stationed at Bangalore.
Decorated with Vir Chakra, Captain Chauhan etched his name in regimental history as the first gallantry awardee of the 26 Punjab. His illustrious journey continued as he rose to the rank of Colonel and commanded the very battalion he was commissioned into. After an exemplary service of over three decades, Sarina Chauhan —his steadfast partner from Kotkhai — and their family stood proudly beside him when he retired in August 2016. Their daughter Aalika Chauhan works with Amazon in Toronto, while son Karan Pratap Singh Chauhan serves in the Merchant Navy.
Post-retirement, Col Chauhan has made his home in Panchkula and continues to inspire generations with his legacy of courage, discipline and service to the nation.
