Twenty-four years after Major Yogesh Gupta laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, his family is still waiting for the recognition they believe his sacrifice deserves.

Major Yogesh Gupta was martyred on July 12, 2002, during an encounter with terrorists at Surankote in Jammu and Kashmir while serving with the 25 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). On the anniversary of his martyrdom, his younger brother, Vikas Gupta, said the family had spent over two decades seeking due recognition for the officer’s bravery.

“It has been 24 years today. I have lost my brother while fighting terrorists, and then my parents while struggling to get recognition for my brother. While serving in 25 RR, he laid down his life. He killed four terrorists,” said Vikas Gupta, a resident of Ambala Cantonment.

The martyr is commemorated in Ambala Cantonment through a chowk named after him in 2019 and a bust installed there in 2020. On Sunday, family members paid floral tributes at the memorial.

Recalling the official battle casualty report, Vikas said it recorded that Major Yogesh Gupta suffered severe gunshot wounds to the abdomen during the firefight. “Despite being severely injured, he continued to engage the terrorists valiantly and killed four dreaded terrorists. A total of five hardcore terrorists were killed in the firefight and Major Yogesh Gupta attained martyrdom,” he said.

Vikas alleged that the

family was initially informed that the officer’s name had been recommended for the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. However, no honour followed.

“After years of struggle and sending countless letters to the Army, the Ministry of Defence and all authorities concerned, we learned that the branch concerned had not received the citation. The honours are conferred within a specific time frame and it was now not feasible to process it at this belated stage,” he said.

“I feel proud of my brother as he laid his life for the country, but at the same time I feel bad as his sacrifice was not recognised. My parents kept struggling for years and they died with this grief in their hearts that the bravery of their son has been neglected,” he added.

Vikas stressed that the family’s campaign was never about financial benefits. “The struggle was never about any financial gain. It is a matter of honouring a martyr and remembering his bravery. My parents are gone, but I will continue to make efforts till my last,” he said.

Recalling his mother’s anguish, Vikas said, “She always used to ask, if this (killing four terrorists and sacrificing his own life) is not bravery, what are gallantry awards given for? Either the Army should say it had prepared a wrong casualty report or tell why the martyr has not been honoured so far.”

While expressing gratitude for the memorial in Ambala Cantonment, Vikas said the family had also urged the government to name a prominent institution, including the newly constructed domestic airport in Ambala, after the martyr, but received no response.

“Though I know that a gallantry award is unlikely to be given, I still keep sending reminders. A couple of months ago, I received a call from the office of the President of India. I was told that they would be given an appointment, but I am yet to get the same. We just want to keep his name alive and inspire the future generation,” he said.