Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari was born on January 24, 2002, in Ayodhya, located in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. He is the son of Shri Jang Bahadur Tiwari and Smt. Neeta Tiwari. He was brought up in an environment that emphasized the importance of integrity, discipline, and patriotism. This helped him build a strong commitment towards the country he was going to serve. Shashank had an extremely close relationship with his younger sister. Shashank had a very focused and determined personality.

From Shashank’s school days, he had one dream – to join the Indian Army. His commitment to the dream helped him succeed academically as well as prepare for all the competitive exams he had to take. His hard work paid off when he finished with a 463rd All-India Rank on the NDA entrance exam, which earned him the right to enroll in the 146th course at the National Defence Academy. This achievement was the first step toward his becoming an Army Officer.

Commissioning and Training

After completing the NDA’s rigorous training, he was next sent to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun to continue his training. On December 14, 2024, he was commissioned into the 1st battalion of the Sikkim Scouts.

Established in 2013 and operational from 2015, the Sikkim Scouts are a unique formation specialized in mountain warfare and providing high altitude border security along India’s northern borders. The regiment is affiliated to the 11th Gorkha Rifles and continues the proud traditions of the Gorkha community in Martial Arts. As an officer, Lieutenant Tiwari quickly earned the respect of his soldiers due to his humility, professionalism, and hands-on approach to leadership. In 2025, he was seconded to the Army Service Corps for operational exposure to develop him as an officer, and thus, his potential was bright.

North Sikkim Operation – 22 May 2025.

In 2025, his unit was operating in the rugged terrain of the North Sikkim sector along the Indo-China border. The region is comprised of snow-bound routes, freezing temperatures of the air, and large amounts of snow, as well as raging water flows in the mountains. On 22 May 2025, Lieutenant Tiwari was leading a Route Opening Patrol and snow clearance operation from Bichhu to Chu Junction. This was a vital task as it ensured that supplies reaching troops could continue for as long as possible in this area, where winter was coming on very soon.

During the operation, while crossing a makeshift log bridge, an Agniveer lost his balance and fell into a very cold stream. Without any hesitation, Lieutenant Tiwari jumped into the icy water to assist. Together with another soldier, they battled the mighty flow of the stream to save their fellow soldier. Tragically, in the process, he was carried away by the torrent. Despite immediate rescue efforts, he was later found downstream, having made the supreme sacrifice at just 23 years of age.

Gallantry and Legacy

For his extraordinary courage and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari (Service No: IC-91128W) was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry honor.

He is survived by his parents and sister. In his brief but inspiring career, Lt. Tiwari embodied the Army’s ethos of “Service Before Self.” His bravery in placing a comrade’s life above his own stands as a lasting example of leadership, sacrifice, and the highest traditions of the Indian Army.