[1] Shankla was born in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, he was the son of an army veteran, Lt Col J.S.

On 8 Aug 1991, Captain Sandeep Shankla’s unit had received credible information from intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in Zafarkhani village in Kupwara district.

A decision was taken by the security forces to launch a search and destroy operation to nab the terrorists under the leadership of Capt Sandeep Shankla.

During the crossfire, one of the soldiers got injured and Capt Sandeep realizing the danger to his life crawled and dragged him to safety while eliminating one terrorist.

[8] Captain Sandeep Shankla was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, "Ashok Chakra" for his outstanding courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.