Major Anuj Sood Biography: Life, Army Career, Shaurya Chakra, Family & Inspiring Story

Year	Award	Description	Awarded By
26 January 2021	Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)	India’s 3rd highest peacetime gallantry award	President of India
2020	Various Commendations	For Outstanding Service	Indian Army
Throughout Career	Service Medals	For dedication and professionalism	Indian Army
2012-2020	Unit Citations	Multiple recognitions for excellence	Brigade of Guards

Personal Life & Marriage of Major Anuj Sood

Marriage

Major Anuj Sood married Mrs. Akriti Sood, a software engineer and daughter of a Navy MARCOS officer. Their marriage was a union of two families dedicated to serving the nation.

Personal Characteristics

• Gentleman Officer: Remembered by friends and colleagues as a true gentleman
• Brave Leader: Led from the front in all situations
• Caring Husband: Devoted to his wife despite service demands
• Dutiful Son: Made his parents proud through his service
• Team Player: Respected by all ranks
• Disciplined Professional: Maintained highest standards
• Humble Nature: Despite achievements, remained grounded

Detailed Biography of Major Anuj Sood

Early Life: Born into Military Legacy (1989-2008)

Major Anuj Sood was born on 17 December 1989 at the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Born into a military family, with his father Brigadier Chandrakant Sood serving in the Indian Army Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, young Anuj grew up immersed in the values of discipline, duty, and patriotism.

His childhood was spent in various military stations as his father’s posting changed. The family originally hailed from Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh, but later settled in Chandigarh. Growing up in cantonment areas, young Anuj witnessed firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of military personnel, which deeply influenced his life choices.

From his earliest years, Major Anuj Sood dreamed of wearing the olive green uniform and following in his father’s footsteps. This wasn’t merely a childhood fancy—it was a calling that would define his entire existence.

School Days: Building Character (1995-2008)

Major Anuj Sood began his formal education at Army Public School, Udhampur, T-Morh in Jammu & Kashmir. This school, serving children of armed forces personnel, provided him with a disciplined environment that nurtured both academics and character.

He later moved to Punjab Public School, Nabha, where he completed his higher secondary education. During these formative years, Major Anuj Sood was known for:

• Academic Excellence: Consistently performed well across all subjects
• Leadership Qualities: Natural leader among peers
• Physical Fitness: Active in sports and physical activities
• Discipline: Punctual, organized, and responsible
• Respect for Teachers: Polite and well-mannered
• Helping Nature: Always ready to assist classmates

His teachers remembered him as a student who combined intelligence with humility—a rare combination that marked him as someone destined for greatness.

The Life-Changing Decision: IIT vs NDA (2008)

In 2008, Major Anuj Sood appeared for the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), now known as JEE. His performance was exceptional—he qualified for admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), one of India’s premier engineering institutions.

For most students, IIT admission represents the pinnacle of academic achievement and the gateway to a lucrative career in engineering or technology. However, Major Anuj Sood had different priorities.

He chose the National Defence Academy (NDA) over IIT.

This decision shocked many but reflected his clarity of purpose:

1. Childhood Dream: From his earliest memories, he wanted to serve in the Army
2. Family Inspiration: Following his father’s military legacy mattered more than personal wealth
3. Nation First: He valued serving India more than pursuing corporate success
4. Clarity of Values: Understood that fulfillment comes from purpose, not just prosperity

When asked about his decision, he simply stated that he was trained for this from birth—a prophetic statement that would prove true in his ultimate sacrifice.

Some reports also suggest he received offers from other prestigious institutions, but Major Anuj Sood never wavered from his commitment to serve the nation in uniform.

National Defence Academy: The Transformation (2008-2011)

In 2008, Major Anuj Sood joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune—one of the world’s premier military training institutions. The NDA experience transforms young boys into military leaders through:

Physical Training:

• Grueling early morning runs
• Obstacle courses and combat training
• Swimming, boxing, and martial arts
• Endurance building exercises
• Parade ground drill

Academic Education:

• Degree-level education in various disciplines
• Military history and strategy
• Leadership and management
• Technical subjects
• Languages and communication

Character Development:

• Discipline and punctuality
• Honor code and integrity
• Teamwork and camaraderie
• Stress management
• Decision-making under pressure

Major Anuj Sood thrived in this environment. His academic background helped him excel in classroom studies, while his physical fitness and determination made him stand out in field training. He built lifelong friendships and developed the leadership qualities that would later save lives in combat.

Indian Military Academy: Officer Training (2011-2012)

After successfully completing NDA, Major Anuj Sood proceeded to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for his final phase of officer training. The IMA focuses on transforming cadets into commissioned officers through intensive military training.

At IMA, Major Anuj Sood underwent:

• Advanced weapons training
• Tactical operations planning
• Unit management
• Combat leadership
• Military law and administration
• Physical endurance tests

On 9 June 2012, Major Anuj Sood passed out from IMA as a commissioned Lieutenant and was posted to the 19th Battalion of the Brigade of Guards—one of the Indian Army’s most prestigious regiments.

Early Career: Building Expertise (2012-2018)

As a young Lieutenant, Major Anuj Sood handled various regimental duties that built his foundation as an officer:

Platoon Commander (2012-2013)

• Led a platoon of approximately 30 soldiers
• Responsible for training, welfare, and operations
• Gained hands-on experience in leadership
• Built rapport with troops

Adjutant (2013-2014)

• Administrative role in the battalion
• Managed personnel records and documentation
• Coordinated between different companies
• Developed organizational skills

Aide-de-Camp to GOC 14 RAPID (2014-2015)

• Prestigious appointment for 13 months
• Served as personal assistant to General Officer Commanding
• Exposed to strategic decision-making
• Learned from senior military leadership
• Handled high-level coordination

Company Commander (2015-2018) After promotion to Captain, Major Anuj Sood commanded a company, responsible for approximately 100-120 soldiers.

Junior Command Course, Army War College, Mhow (2016-2017) Major Anuj Sood attended the Junior Command Course at the prestigious Army War College in Mhow, where he excelled and distinguished himself. This course prepares captains for higher responsibilities through advanced tactical training, leadership development, and strategic studies.

Promotion to Major & Kashmir Posting (2018-2020)

On 4 March 2018, Major Anuj Sood was promoted to the rank of Major and posted to 21 Rashtriya Rifles (Guards)—a unit specifically raised for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Rashtriya Rifles is unique in the Indian Army:

• Specially trained for counter-terrorism
• Operates in challenging terrain
• Faces constant threat from militants
• Requires exceptional courage and tactical skills
• Demands 24/7 alertness

For the next two years, Major Anuj Sood served in Kashmir Valley, leading operations against terrorists. His duties included:

• Planning and executing search operations
• Establishing cordons around terrorist hideouts
• Rescuing civilians from crossfire
• Intelligence gathering and coordination
• Training and mentoring subordinates
• Maintaining troop morale in high-stress environment

Colleagues remember Major Anuj Sood as:

• Brave but not reckless: Calculated risks for mission success
• Caring commander: Genuinely concerned about his men’s welfare
• Professional: Always maintained high standards
• Approachable: Soldiers felt comfortable discussing problems
• Lead from front: Never asked troops to do what he wouldn’t do himself

Personal Life During Service

Despite the demands of military service, Major Anuj Sood maintained strong family bonds. He married Akriti Sood, a software engineer from a Navy MARCOS family. Akriti understood the demands and risks of military life, having grown up in a similar environment.

Their marriage was marked by:

• Mutual respect and understanding
• Support during separations due to postings
• Shared values of service and duty
• Plans for future together

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, Major Anuj Sood’s scheduled leave was cancelled. He was supposed to come home on 22 March 2020 but couldn’t due to movement restrictions. This would be his last opportunity to spend extended time with family.

Just 40 days later, on 2 May 2020, he would make the supreme sacrifice.

The Final Mission: 2 May 2020

The morning of 2 May 2020 began like many others in Major Anuj Sood’s deployment. Intelligence reports indicated terrorist presence in the Chanjimula area of Handwara. But this operation would be different—civilians were trapped inside the house with terrorists holding them hostage.

The situation demanded immediate action but also extreme caution. Any mistake could result in civilian casualties. Major Anuj Sood, as Company Commander, was responsible for planning and executing the operation.

The Tactical Challenge:

• Terrorists in fortified position inside a house
• Civilians (including women and children) trapped inside
• Narrow lanes making approach difficult
• High risk of crossfire
• Need for precise, swift action

The Decision: Rather than bombard the house (which would ensure terrorist elimination but kill hostages), Major Anuj Sood and his Commanding Officer, Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, made the brave decision to enter the house personally to evacuate civilians.

This decision exemplified the Indian Army’s commitment to protecting civilians even at the cost of military tactical advantage. It would have been operationally easier to destroy the house from outside, but that would have killed innocent Indians. Major Anuj Sood chose the harder path—the right path.

The Operation:

1. Major Anuj Sood positioned his Combat Action Team around the house
2. Established tight cordon to prevent terrorist escape
3. Along with CO and three soldiers, entered the house
4. Located the trapped civilians
5. As they moved to evacuate hostages, terrorists opened fire
6. Close-quarter battle ensued in confined space
7. Major Anuj Sood engaged terrorists, protecting his men and civilians
8. Sustained fatal injuries but continued fighting
9. Successfully injured the terrorists before making supreme sacrifice

In those final moments, Major Anuj Sood demonstrated the highest military virtues:

• Courage: Entering a terrorist-held building
• Leadership: Leading from the front, not commanding from rear
• Humanity: Risking life to save civilian hostages
• Professionalism: Maintaining combat effectiveness despite injuries
• Sacrifice: Giving life for mission success

The Nation Mourns

News of Major Anuj Sood’s martyrdom spread rapidly across India. The image of his grief-stricken wife Akriti at his funeral became one of the most poignant photographs of 2020, symbolizing the sacrifice made by military families.

His last rites were performed with full military honors in Chandigarh on 5 May 2020. Thousands gathered despite COVID restrictions to pay tribute. His father, Brigadier Chandrakant Sood (Retd.), displayed the same stoic courage his son had shown, stating: “My son made a supreme sacrifice. I am proud of him.”

The Recognition: Shaurya Chakra

On 26 January 2021, Republic Day, Major Anuj Sood was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award, in recognition of his exceptional bravery and supreme sacrifice.

The award was received by his widow, Mrs. Akriti Sood, from the President of India in a solemn ceremony. While no medal can compensate for the loss, the Shaurya Chakra ensures that Major Anuj Sood’s sacrifice will be remembered by future generations.

Conclusion: 

The life of major anuj sood remains a beacon of honour, sacrifice, and inspiration in India’s military history. His goals, sacrifices, and principles continue to motivate future defenders of the nation, and his legacy will endure as long as the values he stood for live in others.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who was Major Anuj Sood?

Major Anuj Sood, SC, was an Indian Army officer who served with the 19th Battalion, Brigade of Guards and 21 Rashtriya Rifles. He was martyred on 2 May 2020 during Operation Chanjimula in Handwara, Jammu & Kashmir, while attempting to rescue civilians held hostage by terrorists. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his extraordinary courage.

2. When and where was Major Anuj Sood born?

Major Anuj Sood was born on 17 December 1989 at the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was originally from Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh and later settled in Chandigarh.

3. Did Major Anuj Sood really choose NDA over IIT?

Yes. In 2008, Major Anuj Sood qualified for IIT admission through AIEEE but chose to join the National Defence Academy instead, following his childhood dream of serving in the Indian Army.

4. What was Major Anuj Sood’s educational background?

Major Anuj Sood studied at Army Public School, Udhampur, and Punjab Public School, Nabha. He qualified for IIT through AIEEE in 2008 but joined NDA instead. He trained at the National Defence Academy (2008-2011) and Indian Military Academy (2011-2012), and also completed the Junior Command Course at Army War College, Mhow, where he excelled.

5. When did Major Anuj Sood get married?

Major Anuj Sood married Mrs. Akriti Sood during his military service. Akriti is a software engineer and daughter of a Navy MARCOS officer.

Read More: Saumya Pandey IAS

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