Katarya Memorial unveiled

He was awarded Corps of Ordnance medal for being first in order of merit amongst officers joining the corps. He joined 13 Punjab Jind on December 28,1996 at Ferozepur. His platoon moved out to Kashmir valley in May 1997 for counter-insurgency operations.

The brave officer was involved in carrying out several high risk missions including the killing of Taslim Raza, district commander of Hizbul Mujaheedin in Pulwama on August 11, 1997, the Ahagom Operation in April 1998 and the Chowgam Operation in April 1998.

On the night of October 14, 1998, Katarya was out for patrolling in the foot hills of Pir Panjal Ranges when he got information about the presence of militants in the Sangerwani Keller area. One of his men was attacked by the hiding militants. Hearing his cry, he asked his patrol to wait and went all alone to charge the enemy hideout blazing his gun on the militants. A hail of enemy bullets from unsuspecting quarters, however, caught him unawares. The lieutenant lay martyred as the guns fell silent.