Leave No Man Behind: The Inspiring Life Story of Col Ashish Mehta

In the tense valleys of Kashmir, a convoy of approximately 100 military vehicles moved cautiously through a quiet village. At the front of the Battalion convoy was Col Ashish Mehta, leading from the point vehicle along with his Alpha Company. Suddenly, silence shattered, machine-gun fire erupted from a nearby hut.

Bullets sliced through the air, narrowly missing him and his men initially. Within seconds, Ashish assessed the situation. Militants had ambushed the convoy. Without hesitation, he ordered retaliation while ensuring his team stayed focused. Two soldiers were shot and critically injured, one bleeding heavily from a shoulder wound.

“Firing jari rakho… first aid do… khoon rukna chahiye,” he commanded firmly to his second in command – JCO deployed in the back of the military truck.

Amid chaos, Ashish stayed composed. His priority was clear: protect his men and complete the mission.

But this moment was not accidental, it was shaped by years of discipline, training, and purpose.

A Childhood Dream Forged in Dehradun

Born in Dehradun, Ashish grew up watching Passing-Out Parades at the Indian Military Academy. Those moments sparked a lifelong dream, to wear the uniform.

He joined the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, followed by training at the Indian Military Academy. In 1980, he was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment as a Second Lieutenant, marking the beginning of a remarkable 38-year career in the Indian Army.

A Soldier Shaped by Extremes

Ashish’s journey took him across India’s harshest terrains, from the scorching Thar Desert to the freezing heights of the Siachen Glacier, often upto 20,000 feet.

While many struggled in such conditions, Ashish thrived, especially in the mountains. He became an expert in high-altitude warfare and served as an instructor at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg and Sonmarg.

He excelled in skiing competitions and later led training teams at the Siachen Battle School, preparing and training Battalions, soldiers and special forces in survival techniques, avalanche rescue, glacier movement, and mountain warfare.

His expertise culminated in leading a successful expedition to a peak in Arunachal Pradesh, earning him the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Medal.

Leadership Under Fire

Back in Kashmir, under heavy fire, Ashish made a critical decision. Instead of panicking, he coordinated calmly. After suppressing the militant attack with his team, he handed over command and sped his injured soldiers to a military hospital in Srinagar, 40 minutes away.

Thanks to timely action and prior communication, doctors were ready. After hours of surgery, both soldiers survived, though one lost fingers due to blood loss.

Ashish and his Alpha Company were again deployed and leading from the front the very next morning – destination Pir Panjal mountains, again in the thick of militant activities.

That moment stayed with him, not as a victory, but as a reminder of responsibility.

A Life of Purpose Beyond the Uniform

Today, Colonel Ashish Mehta serves in the field of education, bringing the same discipline and leadership into institutions like Capstone High School and Gopalan International School.

Beyond work, he enjoys music, travel, reading, and time with his family and pets, and also taking part in the residential apartment society activities.

The Legacy of a Leader

Ashish Mehta’s story is not just about courage in combat, it’s about leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his Battalion and the Indian Army.

Because for him, one principle always came first : Leave no man behind.