Naik Tape Yajo was a soldier of 1 Assam Regiment of the Indian Army and a native of Karo village in the Monigong area of present-day Shi-Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh. Born on 19 August 1977, he joined the Indian Army on 26 December 1995 and rose to the rank of Naik through his service and dedication. He served in the Army for more than 12 years and was decorated with several service medals during his career.
In September 2008, Naik Tape Yajo was serving in Jammu & Kashmir during counter-terrorism operations. He participated in Operation Kalas, conducted in the Kalas Forest in the Poonch sector. The operation involved clearing a thickly wooded area where terrorists were believed to be hiding.
Naik Tape Yajo volunteered to serve as the leading scout of the search party. During the search, he detected a terrorist concealed behind a boulder in dense undergrowth. Displaying exceptional field craft and courage, he crawled close to the terrorist and engaged him at close range, killing him.
The engagement immediately drew intense fire and grenade attacks from another concealed terrorist. Naik Tape Yajo suffered severe bullet and splinter injuries but continued the assault. Despite bleeding heavily, he crawled through the dense undergrowth towards the second terrorist and killed him with a grenade.
A third terrorist then opened fire on him. With his weapon damaged and despite his serious injuries, Naik Tape Yajo charged towards the terrorist with his dah. He was eventually hit by intense hostile fire at close range and succumbed to his injuries on 22 September 2008.
His actions during the engagement demonstrated exceptional courage and determination and contributed to the elimination of the terrorists while preventing further casualties among his comrades.
For his conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage in the face of intense hostile fire, Naik Tape Yajo was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. The Government of India formally listed him among the 2009 Kirti Chakra awardees as 4364533 Naik Tape Yajo, 1 Assam Regiment (Posthumous).
He is remembered in Arunachal Pradesh as a decorated soldier who made the supreme sacrifice during counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir.