On 27 January 2008, Captain Sunil Choudhary got information of the presence of some terrorists in village Naopathar in Assam. He immediately led a column of one officer and 18 Other Ranks to the village. As the cordon was established, terrorists hiding inside the house started firing indiscriminately and ran outside in a bid to escape, into the surrounding jungle.

Capt Choudhary in a quick and bold action immediately gave chase and shot and killed one terrorist. Despite being fired upon by fleeing terrorists he led the chase from the front. In the firefight Capt Choudhary sustained grievous bullet injury in the neck but retaliated, shot and injured the second terrorist. Despite the injury and while losing blood quickly, in the highest traditions of the Army with utter disregard for his own safety he chased the third terrorist who had entered the forest. Capt Choudhary outflanked the terrorist, cutting off his escape and suddenly came face to face with him. An extremely intense firefight ensued at extremely close range. Capt Choudhary, despite his critical condition, in one final glorious superhuman effort shot and killed the terrorist, and then himself succumbed to injury, making the supreme sacrifice in the service of the Nation.