Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh Mukund Varadarajan
Ashok Chakra for two Soldiers
Based on specific intelligence, Brigade Ghataks launched a Search and Destroy Operation at General area Gurdaji of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on 24 August 2014. At 1025
hours, party noticed movement of few terrorists close to a Dhok,
who opened indiscriminate fire on own troops. In the ensuring fire fight, buddy
of Naik Neeraj was hit on bullet proof jacket. With utter disregard for
his personal safety, Naik Neeraj crawled and extricated his buddy. A terrorist threw
grenades and brought heavy fire on Naik Neeraj. In a daring act, he inched closer
to the terrorist and shot him dead. Simultaneously, the NCO was attacked by
another terrorist resulting in dropping of his Rifle and the terrorist shot him
in the chest. Despite grievous injuries, displaying unparalleled courage, he
pounced on the terrorist, snatched his weapon and killed him in hand to hand
combat. He refused to be evacuated till he became unconscious and was evacuated
by helicopter to 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
On 25 April 2014, Major Mukund
Varadarajan, Company Commander, received information about the presence
of three terrorists in village of Shupiyan district of
Jammu and Kashmir. This group had targeted polling officials just a day prior.
Major Mukund acted swiftly by deploying troops in an effective cordon
and simultaneously evacuated civilians from the target house.
Major Mukund personally led the demolition team and used the resources
available to him in a critically short time period to bring down the target
house. This aggressive action forced the terrorists to shift their position to
an outhouse in the compound.
Major Mukund along with his buddy Sepoy Vikram displaying raw courage crawled in
proximity to the outhouse. The officer lobbed a grenade inside the cement
outhouse killing one terrorist instantaneously. Another terrorist present in
the outhouse opened a burst of auto fire thereby seriously injuring Major Mukund.
Although bleeding profusely, unmindful of his grave injury the officer crawled
ahead, fired and neutralized the second terrorist. The elimination of terrorist
avenged the killing of the election officials within 24 hours and restored
faith of public in democracy and the Indian Army. Major Mukund
Varadarajan was evacuated but succumbed to his injuries.
Maj
Mukund Varadarajan exhibited most conspicuous bravery and exemplary leadership
and made the supreme sacrifice while fighting with the terrorists.
