Vir Chakra (VrC)

Second Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Sharma of the Army Ordance Corps came on attachment to a battalion on 8 July 1987 as a Company Officer, stationed at Bila base in the Bilafondla complex in Siachen Glacier. On the night of 23 September 1987, the enemy started heavy shelling on Bilafondla Complex and simultaneously launched an attack on two of our posts. As the Company Commander was at one post, he ordered Second Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Sharma to take his men and reinforce the other post. Moving in inhospitable terrain at sub-zero temperatures he guided his men managed to reinforce the other post well in time, and succeeded in repulsing numerous adversary attacks. Though injured in the left shoulder by a splinter, he refused to be evacuated.

Again on the night of 24 September 1987, the enemy launched a determined attack on the post in overwhelming numbers. When the position became critical, the Commander asked him to take his men to reinforce the post. Against heavy odds, he led his men inch by inch, traversing seemingly impossible ice ridges and managed to reach the post. However, just 50 yards short of the post, he was again severely injured in the back by an artillery shell and lost consciousness. But his timely action saved the post from being captured by the enemy. 

Second Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Sharma displayed conspicuous bravery in the face of adversary.