Major Gauba of the 20 Jat Regiment single-handedly killed three terrorists trying to infiltrate across the Line of Control (Loc) in close combat, while also rescuing one of his injured colleagues in the Kupwara district of J&K in May 2018. For displaying an act of uncommon valour, the Indian Army's pride and a brave army officer Major Tushar was awarded Kirti Chakra by the President of India.

 

Major Tushar Gauba of the 20th Battalion of the Jat Regiment was stationed in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir at the Line of Control(LoC) when on the night of 23rd May 2018, eight militants attempted an infiltration across the LoC.

 

On 24th May 2018 at around 0400 hours, Major Tushar Gauba laid an ambush to deny exfiltration to the terrorists. However, on the night of 25th May when the terrorists tried to exfiltrate, Major Tushar while showing the presence of mind redeployed his ambush. On 26th May at 0530 hours, the terrorist group sensed the location of the ambush led by Major Tushar and started indiscriminatory fire using automatic rifles and hand grenades in which one of Major Tushar's Sepoy Sunil Kumar sustained splinter injuries. A very sharp-minded Major Tushar Gauba immediately evacuated his injured colleague, while continuously firing on the terrorists and pinning them down.

 

As the firefight progressed, Major Tushar Gauba realized that he had to get closer to the hiding terrorists. Major Tushar Gauba crawled up to 20 meters close to the terrorists despite heavy firing from the terrorists' side. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Major Tushar lobbed a hand grenade and charged on the terrorists firing his weapon. In close combat undeterred by the terrorists' fire he succeeded in hunting down three of the terrorists.

 

Major Tushar's act of unparallel bravery under heavy terrorist fire, tactical acumen, and swift action to save his troop resulted in the elimination of three hardcore terrorists while he managed to have no further casualty to his own troops.