Subedar Sujjan Singh Yadav, AC, was a Junior Commissioned Officer of the Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment and served with the 13th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment (13 Kumaon). His service number was JC-216611.
He was born on 30 March 1953 in Kanina Khas village of Mahendragarh district, Haryana. He came from a farming family and developed an interest in sports during his school years. He joined the Indian Army and was enrolled in 13 Kumaon on 27 May 1971.
During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Sujjan Singh served with 13 Kumaon in the Longewala sector of Rajasthan. The battalion distinguished itself during the Battle of Longewala and received the associated theatre honour.
During his subsequent military career, Sujjan Singh rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Naib Subedar on 1 August 1991 and later to Subedar. He also served for a period with 20 NCC Battalion in Kolkata before returning to his parent unit, 13 Kumaon.
In 1994, 13 Kumaon was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. On 25 September 1994, information was received about a group of terrorists, including a battalion commander and foreign militants, hiding in the vicinity of Zalurah village in Kupwara district.
A search-and-destroy operation was planned in the difficult forested terrain near the village. On 26 September 1994, Subedar Sujjan Singh Yadav commanded the search party that moved towards the suspected terrorist hideout.
As the search party approached the hideout, the terrorists opened heavy fire from close range. Realising that his men needed cover, Subedar Sujjan Singh moved aggressively towards the terrorist position. Despite receiving several gunshot wounds, he continued advancing and engaging the enemy. He was eventually fatally hit when bullets pierced his helmet.
His courageous action enabled his team to continue the assault. The terrorists were eliminated and their weapons and ammunition were recovered. His action also helped save the members of his search party.
Subedar Sujjan Singh Yadav made the supreme sacrifice on 26 September 1994 at Zalurah in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. For his exceptional courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice during the operation, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.