Major Ashwini Kumar Kanva was born on 1st October 1958 to Mr. Amolak Kanva. He hailed from Delhi. He joined the Indian Army in November 1982. Major Ashwini joined the Army Medical Corps of the Army. Major Ashwini went to Sri Lanka as part of the IPKF along with his unit on October 25, 1987.
| Service Number | MR 5013 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 93 Fd Rgt/ AMC |
| Regiment | Army Medical Corps |
| Award | Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Date of Martyrdom | 3rd November 1987 |
On 3rd November 1987, Major Kanva was busy providing medical help to injured soldiers in the Army camp on the outskirts of Jaffna. As Major Kanva was attending to a patient, he was shot by an LTTE sniper from a very close range. The assassin had gained entry into the camp pretending to be a patient and fired at him in a dastardly act. Major Kanva succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Major Ashwini Kanva was awarded the “Vishisht Seva Medal” posthumously for his courage and devotion to duty.
