Defenders of the Nation: Remembering India’s Martyrs on the 79th Independence Day

August 15, 2025 is more than a date on the calendar—it is the 79th time our tricolour has been raised over an independent India. But behind that proud moment lies a price that has been paid in blood, sweat, and unyielding courage. The soldiers of our armed forces, officers of the police and paramilitary, and even ordinary citizens have stepped forward when the nation needed them most, often never to return.

This year, we remember their names, their stories, and their sacrifices—because a nation that forgets its martyrs forgets its own soul.

India’s Tradition of Sacrifice: From the Battlefield to the Gallows

The idea of sacrifice for the nation is not new to India. From the first war of independence in 1857 to the modern high-altitude warfare of Siachen, our history is full of individuals who placed the country above their own lives.

Freedom Struggle Martyrs

Before the armed forces of modern India were even born, countless revolutionaries and ordinary citizens resisted colonial rule:

• Peer Ali Khan – The Patna-based bookbinder who used his profession to distribute revolutionary literature during the 1857 revolt. He was executed along with 14 associates, inspiring the nationalist movement for decades.
• Azim Allee, Ellahee Bux, and Fyzoola – Brave men from Delhi who refused to yield during the 1857 uprising and were executed together on 17 March 1858.
• Satyen Chandra Bardhan (“Kanu”) – A radio operator for the Indian National Army, who carried Netaji Subhas Bose’s messages and was executed in 1943. He famously sang “Vande Mataram” at the gallows.
• Kanaklata Barua – At just 17, she led a procession to hoist the tricolour during the Quit India Movement in Assam, only to be shot by police while protecting the flag.

These were the precursors to the martyrs of independent India—different battlefields, same spirit.

Post-Independence Wars and the Roll of Honour

India’s independence did not end the need for sacrifice. In fact, it marked the beginning of a new chapter—defending sovereignty from external and internal threats.

1947–48 Indo-Pak War

India’s first war as a free nation was fought to secure Jammu & Kashmir’s accession:

• Brigadier Mohammad Usman (MVC) – Known as the “Lion of Nowshera,” he rejected Pakistan’s offer to join their army and instead defended India’s territory until he fell to enemy shelling.
• Naik Jadunath Singh (PVC) – With just a handful of men, he defended Tain Dhar Post against repeated enemy assaults, inspiring his troops until his last breath.

1962 Indo-China War

Though a difficult campaign, it produced examples of unmatched bravery:

• Subedar Joginder Singh (PVC) – Commanded his platoon at Tongpeng La in NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh), holding off the Chinese despite being wounded, until he was captured and succumbed to injuries.

1965 Indo-Pak War

One of the most famous tank battles in history unfolded in Punjab’s Asal Uttar sector:

• CQMH Abdul Hamid (PVC) – Destroyed multiple Pakistani Patton tanks with his jeep-mounted recoilless gun before being killed in action. His feat is still taught in military academies worldwide.

1971 Indo-Pak War

A lightning campaign that liberated Bangladesh, but not without heavy loss:

• Lance Naik Albert Ekka (PVC) – Cleared multiple enemy bunkers in Gangasagar before being mortally wounded.
• Captain Pradip Kumar Gour (MVC) – Directed artillery fire deep inside enemy territory despite being exposed to anti-aircraft guns; died in action.
• Lance Naik D. P. Singh (MVC) – Silenced enemy machine-gun nests under intense fire, sacrificing his life.

1999 Kargil War

The icy heights of Dras, Batalik, and Kargil became the stage for modern-day legends:

• Captain Vikram Batra (PVC) – Known for the battle cry “Yeh Dil Maange More!”, he led multiple assaults to recapture enemy positions before being killed while rescuing a fellow officer.
• Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav (PVC) – Scaled vertical cliffs under heavy fire during the Tiger Hill assault, inspiring his comrades to victory despite serious injuries.
• Captain Anuj Nayyar (MVC) – Cleared enemy bunkers at the Second Pimple Complex, leading from the front until he fell to enemy fire.
• Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja (VrC) – Shot down while on a mission to locate a downed pilot; executed after ejecting over enemy territory.
• Colonel Balwan Singh (MVC) and Captain Amol Kalia (VrC) – Vital in retaking key positions in the Batalik sector.

2020 Galwan Valley Clash

At the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, a hand-to-hand confrontation claimed the lives of:

• Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu (MVC) – Led from the front in defending Indian positions against a numerically superior force.
• Havildar K. Palani and Sepoy Kundan Ojha – Fought valiantly in the high-altitude clash before laying down their lives.

Peacekeeping and Internal Security Martyrs

Indian soldiers have also died in UN missions, counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir, counter-insurgency in the Northeast, and anti-Naxal operations:

• Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan (AC) – Laid down his life during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks while rescuing hostages.
• Countless CRPF, BSF, and Assam Rifles personnel have fallen in ambushes and IED blasts in internal operations.

National Symbols of Remembrance

• National War Memorial (New Delhi) – A circular monument listing names of martyrs from 1947 onwards.
• Kargil War Memorial (Dras, Ladakh) – Located at the base of Tololing Hill, honouring the soldiers of Operation Vijay.
• E-Shradhanjali Portal – Allows citizens to pay virtual tribute and read about each martyr.

Why We Must Remember

Honouring martyrs is not only about wreaths and speeches; it is about keeping their stories alive so that future generations understand the cost of freedom. This means:

• Incorporating their stories into school curricula.
• Ensuring welfare schemes for their families are delivered without delay.
• Building local memorials in their hometowns.

Roll of Honour – Selected Heroes

“For our tomorrow, they gave their today.”
This Independence Day, let us remember not just their names but their deeds, for they are the reason the tricolour flies freely in the Indian sky.

Read More: PM Modi Unveils 3-Pillar GST Reform Blueprint on 79th Independence Day

Amit Sharma

Amit Sharma is the Content Editor at JurisHour. He has been writing about the Indian legal market. He has covered tax & company litigation stories from the Supreme Court, High Courts and Various Tribunals. Amit graduated from MLSU Law College with B.A.LL.B. and also holds an LL.M. from MLSU, Udaipur, Rajasthan. An Advocate in Taxation, and practised in Tribunals as well as Rajasthan High Court and pursued Masters in Constitutional Law. He started out small with little resources but a big plan to take tax legal education to the remotest locations across India and eventually to the world. His vision is to make tax related legal developments accessible to the masses.