Second Lieutenant Mukesh Anand made the supreme sacrifice on 27 October 1993 while serving in Jammu and Kashmir. An officer of the Army Service Corps attached to 12 Mahar, he was serving at a forward post in a sensitive operational area. His final mission began when civilian porters carrying construction materials failed to return from their journey to the post.
Anand hailed from Ambala district in Haryana and was the son of Madan Gopal Anand and Vinod Anand. He pursued a military career and was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army. His attachment to 12 Mahar placed him in an operational environment where patrols and forward positions required constant vigilance.
When the civilian porters did not return, Anand organised a patrol to search for them. The patrol advanced into difficult terrain, with dense jungle near the operational area.
After advancing approximately 900 metres, the patrol was ambushed. Despite suffering severe chest injuries, Anand continued engaging the attackers and directing his men. He remained in the fight even as the encounter intensified, until he sustained a further wound to the head.
Second Lieutenant Mukesh Anand succumbed to his injuries on 27 October 1993. For his courage, leadership and self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
His story honours a young officer who took responsibility for searching for missing civilian workers and continued to perform his duty under fire. His actions reflected the commitment and courage expected of an Army officer.
