Santosh Agnihotri joined Sainik School Gorakhal, Nanital on 08 March 1968. He came from a humble family background like most of us who joined SSGK. He was one among four children to Mr Pasupateshwar Nath Agnihotri, a sanitary inspector at Pilibhit in UP and had two elder brothers and one younger sister. One of his elder brothers, Mr Paritosh Agnihotri, studied in Sainik School Lucknow.

Alok Mishra, his House type, bed neighbour, next in roll number recollects that they even sat together in class. Did a year of college together with others like Dadu, Mohla and joined NDA in the same course. They were class types even in NDA coincidentally in Classification 1 of social Science stream. Agnihotri to most friends was an extremely hardworking individual from childhood itself. He played good hockey and other games as well. He was also called Pandit Ji because he could recite Slokas freely, much better than others at that age. Suffice to say that he was a religious person all through his life which was imbibed from his family. He was good at woodcraft as well and made several remarkable mementoes at school at that age to be presented to visitors and seniors. He worked hard and was always amongst the first six in the class of his illustrious friends who also joined the NDA and did well to achieve pinnacles of professional glory in all the three services, and in civilian life. In short, he was a jack of all trades and master of many. He rose to be the house captain and the school hockey team captain too.


He cleared his NCERT science talent test and was awarded the scholarship. He did one year of College at Lucknow along with few of his Sainik School friends and in 1976 reached NDA via OTA. At the NDA, his hard work continued, and for sure his squadron types will vouch that he passed out from the academy without doing any punishment during his entire six terms. He was chosen to be the CSM of golf squadron and was an NDA Torch holder.

Agnihotri was a ‘proper type’ cadet good at everything he did, whether PT, Drill, Games and Academics. He also had the great quality of humility and never once tried to prove himself better than any of his coursemates which he could have done so easily if he wanted. Instead, he had a very self-deprecating nature which made him an endearing coursemate. Ag No3 as Agnihotri was known was very proud of his school SS Ghodakal and never missed an opportunity to present his alma mater in a good light. As CSM of Golf Squadron, he was so full of josh, especially in coaxing his juniors. For example, in an inter Division first/second termers tug of war he would go and encourage the losing side and when they started gaining he would go to the other end and start his war cry. Similarly, in a cross country, he would keep encouraging every Golfie he overtook and pull them along. He was someone who relished being in the thick of things.

S K Agnihotri was a very tough guy. Amarjit Singh remembers that during Ex Thaka Thak when they were to attack a feature uphill, Agnihotri took LMG from him and sprinted towards the feature in addition to the rifle he was already carrying. Amarjit was without a weapon and still couldn’t keep pace with him, and such was his physical fitness and endurance.

From IMA, Agnihotri was commissioned into 11KUMAON. He was very God-fearing and a staunch follower of Bajrangbali. Alok met Agnihotri at the YO’s again, and he remembers that Agnihotri preferred a corner room to be able to focus on his studies. He did well and stood First in YO-35 ( Infantry) and was awarded ‘Jawahar Medal’. The funniest and best thing about him was that as a friend he was always with friends but never participated in that merry-making of the young days including liquor and girls etc. He was one of those Viveka Nanda types. He was posted as instructor Class C at IMA Dehradun during 1986-88 and made his presence felt by GC's whenever he was around. A dedicated, hardworking & enthusiastic soldier who was always full of life and josh.

He was Coy Cdr in First Assam Rifles (1997-98) which was operating under 57 MTN ARTY BDE deployed for “OP HIFAZAT” in South Assam. He had carried out various anti-militant operation very successfully. During the school winter vacations, his family had joined him. He had planned to drop back the family to Deharadun during leave, and before starting the air journey, he was to have lunch with another course mate, Anil Pote who was Brigade Major of the same artillery brigade. On 11 January 98 after handing over the post to relieving Coy Cdr, he started his journey in a civil Maruti which had no protection. His vehicle was ambushed on the way, and he was pulled out of the vehicle. The vehicle was also sprayed with bullets, but luckily his wife and son survived with minor injuries. Since the driver of the vehicle had fled, it was left to the courageous lady to hunt for the driver and take the vehicle to the nearest Army post. Immediate action was carried out; however, Agnihotri could not be saved. SK Jain, along with 3 classmates, attended his last rites at Lucknow. Militants were eyeing for him as he was a terror in that area. Lost a wonderful and true soldier who was ready to help any time.

Santosh Agnihotri was from a humble family, worked hard, did his best. Achieved many a milestone, but succumbed to destiny. God bless his soul and provide him with ultimate solace. He is survived by his lady wife Anita and his son who is commissioned into RAJRIF after passing out from RIMC/NDA/IMA.

Penned with inputs from Alok Mishra, Anil Pote, SK Sharma , SK Jain, Ramanujam & Amarjit Singh.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏