She was pregnant but still chose to serve in Kargil War. Meet ex-Indian Army Officer Yashika Tyagi. What is she doing now after retirement?

In the summer of 1999, as the Kargil War raged in the high-altitude battlegrounds of Ladakh, one officer was fighting on two fronts—one at the border, and one within herself. Captain Yashika Hatwal Tyagi, pregnant with her second child, reported for duty like any other soldier, never letting her condition define or deter her. Her story isn’t just about patriotism, it's about breaking barriers, redefining courage, and inspiring generations of women to dream beyond boundaries.

Captain Yashika Hatwal Tyagi (retd), now 51, was among the few female Army officers serving during the Kargil War. Speaking to TOI, she recounted how she was posted in Leh, Ladakh, when the war broke out in May 1999. She was expecting her second child and was in the second trimester when duty called. Despite the physical demands and the emotional weight of her pregnancy, she chose to stay at her post and serve. Today, she is a motivational speaker, inspiring young girls across the country to wear the uniform with pride.

Family background
Her journey into the armed forces was deeply personal. Born into a military family in Dehradun, Tyagi was just seven when her father, an Army Colonel and a veteran of the 1962, ’65, and ’71 wars, passed away while still in service. At the time, she couldn’t fully grasp the situation as his body arrived in an Army truck adorned with garlands. But witnessing the unwavering support her family received from fellow officers left a lasting impression on her. That moment sowed the seed of her desire to one day wear the uniform herself.

Raised by her mother, who began teaching to support the family, Tyagi and her sisters were instilled with a deep sense of discipline and the importance of education. Her younger sister went on to join the Air Force, while her elder sister became a doctor affiliated with the Navy. Tyagi herself initially aimed to join the Indian Police Service. However, in 1992, a new door opened: the Army began recruiting women into non-combatant roles through the Women Special Entry Scheme. She cleared the Services Selection Board and joined the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, in 1994.

Captain Tyagi at Leh
Determined to prove that women were just as capable as men in uniform, Tyagi chose one of the most challenging postings as her first assignment in 1995. That same year, she married a fellow Army officer. Their first son, Kanhav, was born in 1996. A year later, she became the first female logistics officer to be posted in the high-altitude region of Leh, breaking new ground in a male-dominated environment.

Then came 1999. As her two-year stint in Leh was drawing to a close, the Kargil conflict erupted while she was in the second trimester of her pregnancy with her second child. She remained on duty, contributing to the war effort through her work in logistics and support, demonstrating strength that went beyond the battlefield.

What is she doing now?
After retiring from the Indian Army, she went on to serve as the Director of a Ministry of Defence project. A sought-after motivational speaker and leadership coach, she has also delivered impactful talks on platforms like TEDx and Josh Talks.