Kanad bhattacharya

Kanad Bhattacharya, (Sena Medal) was an Lieutenant officer of the Indian Army, posthumously awarded with the Sena Medal award for valour, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Service No: SS-37818,
Place of Birth : Kolkata, West Bengal,
Service: Army,
Last Rank : Lieutenant,
Unit: 8 Sikh,
Arm/Regt: The Sikh Regiment,
Operation : Op Vijay (Kargil),
Award : Sena Medal,
Date of Martyrdom : May 21, 1999.
Early life and education
Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya hailed from Baranagar in Kolkata in West Bengal. He was Son of an income tax officer. His born and brought up was at Tala near Shyambazar in north Calcutta. His Primary schooling was from St. James School and completed his graduation from SA Jaipuria college in Kolkata. Lt Kanad was a keen sportsman during his student days and played cricket very well. He was also a fond of martial arts and was a karate black belt holder.
Military Career
Lt Kanad joined the armed forces after his college education. He joined the Army through OTA (Officer's Training Academy) and was commissioned into 8 Sikh of the famous Sikh Regiment, one of the oldest regiments famous for its gallant soldiers and numerous battle honours. As his first assignment after commissioning, Lt Kanad got posted to the unit which was deployed in J &K and got involved in the Kargil war.There were reports about Pakistani penetration in May 1999 and Lt Kanad Bhattacharya's unit was conveyed along the LOC near Tiger Hill during that time. A patrol composed of eight other personnel led by Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya was entrusted to set up a solid footing on North Eastern edge close Tiger Hill. The course was unattainable and was covered with snow. While Sepoy Major Singh was ascending, Lt.Kanad noticed a movement of intruders coming down with heavy weapons towards them. The intruders started firing at the patrol with heavy automatic gun. Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya and Sepoy Major Singh separated the patrol into two group and started firing to the intruders from various positions along these lines showing remarkable professional competence
There was a heavy exchange of fire between Lieutenant Kanad’s patrol and the intruders. The patrol kept constantly returning the fire with full poise and determination. During this gun fight a number of patrol members including Lieutenant Kanad got multiple gun shot wounds. Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya along with two other soldiers laid down his life in the highest tradition of the service. The patrol could not come back and was declared missing in action on 21st May, 1999. The body of Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya was recovered from the area of action on 15th July, 1999 where it was found buried in the snow; after the capture of Tiger Hill.

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