Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav was bom on 10 May 1980 to Late Sepoy Ram Karan Smgh Yadav and Sentra Devi in village Aurangabad located near small town of Ahir, Bulandsahar, in Uttar Pradesh. He completed his primary education at a village school and after Class V, went on to join Sannota Sri Krishna College in Bulandshahr. His father, Ram Karan Smgh had served with 11 KUMAON as a soldier and had played an active role in the India-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971.
As Yogendra and his brother grew up, listening to the fascinating stories of valour and courage narrated by their father, they harboured dreams of joining the Army. His elder brother, Jitendra Singh Yadav was also recruited into the Indian Army in the Artillery regiment. Yogendra belonged to a blood line where bravery was ingrained and was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and brother He was recruited into the Grenadiers Regiment on 27 December 1999 at the age of 19.

During the Kargil war of 1999, the Pakistani intruders had surreptitiously occupied positions on Tiger Hill complex besides other winter vacated posts. Point 5062, named the Tiger Hill at 16,608 feet was one of the most important objectives during Operation Vijay. It is one of the most dominating and awe-inspiring features in the Dras sector. Tiger Hill was the pivotal post around which the intruders’ defences were based. Occupation of Tiger Hill facilitated the enemy with a commanding view of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway 1A. Firmly entrenched on Tiger Hill complex, enemy could effectively interdict vehicular movement with observed artillery fire, thus seriously interfering with the lifeline of the Ladakh region .

18 GRENADIERS, which had already lost two valiant officers, Lt Col R Viswanathan and Major Rajesh Smgh Adhikari during Tololing Operations, was given the near impossible task of capturing the Tiger Hill on the night of 3/4 July 1999.
8 SIKH, which was occupying dominating heights around the South-Eastern and Northern part of Tiger Hill, was tasked to provide the firm base. At 1900 hours, the multi-direction attacks began in freezing rain, commencing with a nearly 12-hour vertical climb from Southern and North - Eastern approach using fixed ropes.
Lt Balwan Singh led the Ghatak Platoon of 18 GRENADIERS from the dangerous NorthEastern approach. Grenadier Yogendra Smgh Yadav was the lead Ghatak. He had eagerly volunteered to lead the attack. To reach the objective his team had to fix the ropes on the cliff face for his platoon to climb. As his leading team climbed to reach enemy position, heavy fire from the enemy fatally wounded his Team Commander and two teammates and almost stalled the advance. Grenadier Yogendra was also severely wounded, but knowing the gravity of the situation he continued to climb towards the enemy positions. He crawled towards the enemy position but sustained multiple bullet injuries.

Unmindful of his injuries and hail of enemy bullets, he continued pushing towards the enemy position and lobbed grenades inside enemy bunker and fired with his weapon, killing four enemy soldiers in close combat and thus silenced the automatic weapon fire. During the charge to clear the enemy bunkers he again sustained multiple bullet injuries but refused to be evacuated even in critical condition. This heroic deed of Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav motivated his platoon to capture Tiger Hill Top and thus the vital objective was achieved. This decisive victory sealed the fate of Pakistan’s Kargil misadventure.

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra for his extraordinary gallant act. He is the youngest recipient of this coveted award till date. He retired from army on 31 December, 2021 in the rank of Honorary Captain. 18 GRENADIERS won unit citation for the Battle of ‘Tiger Hill’. Historically, GRENADIERS originated in early 17th Century as Storm Troopers who moved ahead of attacking troops, throwing grenades on the entrenched and barricaded enemy. The GRENADIERS of Indian Army have a long and illustrious history of valour and sacrifice, dating back several centuries. The first battalion of GRENADIERS was raised on 12 Nov 1779. The Regiment reflects the true picture of unity in diversity as it comprises of Jats, Rajputs, Dogras, Kayumkhanis, Muslims, Ahirs, and other Indian castes. 18 GRENADIERS lived up to the true traditions on The GRENADIERS Regiment and the Indian Army during the Kargil war.

Remembering  Kargil Hero Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav on republic day for his bravery; a Salute to indian army from Paigam-E-Jagat. From his life we must learned dedication and love towards our nation (Bharat) is above all.