Major Uttam Chand Katoch was born on 31st May 1944 in Nagrota in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. He joined the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned in the year 1971, into the Army Service Corps. He had the distinction of commanding 554 ASC Bn at Srinagar. In 1989, Major Katoch was serving with the unit based at Secundrabad. But soon the unit was tasked to move to Sri Lanka as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). By 1989, Indian Forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over.
| Service Number | IC-23747 |
| Place of Birth | Himachal Pradesh |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 554 ASC Bn |
| Regiment | Army Service Corps |
| Date of Martyrdom | 24th March 1989 |
On 24th March 1989, Major Katoch was leading a recce mission in the outskirts when they came under an IED blast. The IED was tied to an abandoned bicycle held against a tree and as soon as the patrol party approached that area, it detonated. Major Katoch and his team immediately swung into action followed by a fierce gun battle between the two sides. Major Katoch fought valiantly but received multiple gunshots and got martyred.
Major Katoch was a courageous officer who led his team efficiently and laid down his life for the nation. He is by his wife, a son, and two daughters.
