Capt Sandeep Shankla was the leader of the Quick Reaction Team of 18 DOGRA, deployed in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. On 8 Aug 1991, the Army received information of the presence of terrorists in the Zafarkhani Village, Kupwara district. Leading from the front, Capt Shankla immediately cordoned off the area and secured the surroundings.
Trapped, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed hand grenades. In the ensuing encounter, Capt Shankla got injured but he kept firing and killed two terrorists.
On seeing his colleagues pinned down under fire Capt Shankla, though grievously injured, rushed at the terrorists and simultaneously fired at one of them, killing him on the spot.
A total of nine terrorists were killed in the operation and Capt Shankla finally succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Capt Sandeep Shankla displayed indomitable courage, nerves of steel and dogged resoluteness in killing nine terrorists and recovering a huge cache of arms and ammunition. For his exemplary bravery and courage, Capt Sandeep Shankla was posthumously awarded India’s highest Gallantry Award in operations other than war, the Ashok Chakra.