Captain Ashutosh Kumar was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 18th Battalion of The Madras Regiment. He was from Parmanpur village in Madhepura district, Bihar.
After completing his military training, he served as a Ghatak Platoon Commander. In 2020, his unit was deployed near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, where troops carried out counter-infiltration and counter-insurgency duties.
On 8 November 2020, information was received about terrorists attempting to escape after an infiltration-related encounter in the Machil Sector of Kupwara district. Captain Ashutosh Kumar proceeded to establish blocking positions along likely escape routes. At approximately 6:30 a.m., the cut-off group under his leadership observed the movement of escaping terrorists.
He maintained contact with the terrorists and continued advancing towards them. During the approach, the group's scout sustained a bullet injury. Recognising the danger to his men and seeing a terrorist attempting to escape, Captain Ashutosh Kumar exposed himself to enemy fire and engaged the terrorist at close range.
During the ensuing exchange of fire, he sustained a gunshot wound and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His actions demonstrated exceptional courage and a determination to protect his fellow soldiers while carrying out the mission.
Captain Ashutosh Kumar made the supreme sacrifice on 8 November 2020 in the Machil Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra, which was conferred in 2022.
His service and sacrifice remain part of the history of the 18th Battalion, The Madras Regiment, and the Indian Army's operations along the Line of Control.