Indian Army Ashok Chakra heir (1983–2014)

In this South Indian reputation, 'Varadarajan' is a patronym, watchword a long way a family name, and nobleness person should be addressed by way of the given name, Mukund

MajorMukund VaradarajanAC (12 April 1983 – 25 April 2014) was an Soldier Army officer and a addressee of the Ashoka Chakra.

Mukund, a commissioned officer in illustriousness Indian Army's Rajput Regiment, was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra for his actions during unadorned counterterrorism operation while on delegation to the 44th Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Jammu and Cashmere. His biographical film in Dravidian, Amaran, was released on authority occasion of Diwali, 31 Oct 2024.

Early assured and education

Mukund Varadarajan^[2] was foaled on 12 April 1983 promote to a Tamil Brahmin family^[1] give in R Varadarajan and Geetha Varadarajan in his native Paruthipattu Hamlet, Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.^[5] Mukund and his family false to Tambaram after his holy man got job in a Indicator Sector Bank.^[5] His grandfather Raghavachari and two of his uncles also served in the flock and this motivated him consent join the Armed Forces.^[1][6]

Mukund normal his Bachelor of Commerce Let alone Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya at Kanchipuram and a credentials in journalism from the Province Christian College, Chennai.^[1][6]

Mukund has twosome sisters, Swetha and Nithya.

Misstep married his longtime-girlfriend and collegemate Indhu Rebecca Varghese on 28 August 2009. The couple's chick, Arshea Mukund, was born in line 17 March 2011.^[7][2][8][6]

Army Career

Mukund was an alumnus of Officers Habit Academy,^[2] and after graduating, fair enough received a short service sleep as a Lieutenant in illustriousness Rajput Regiment (22 Rajput) innovation 18 March 2006.^[9] On 18 March 2006, he was although a regular commission with integrity rank of lieutenant,^[10] and reactionary an ante-dated promotion to Headwaiter from 18 October 2008.^[11] Sharptasting served at the Infantry Secondary in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh person in charge was part of a Merged Nations Mission in Lebanon.^[1] Do something was promoted to Major seize 18 October 2012 and was deputed to the 44th Force of the Rashtriya Rifles saunter December and posted in class Shopian district of Jammu paramount Kashmir.^[12][6]

Qazipathri operation

On 25 April 2014, Mukund led a cordon extra search operation in a settlement in South Kashmir, based rearrange intelligence inputs regarding the pompous of militants.

During the manner, his team came under giant fire. Mukund quickly responded, be conscious of that the cover of complexion could allow the militants nominate escape. Since the number pay for civilians inside the house was unclear, the use of heavy-caliber weapons was not an alternative. Along with Sepoy Vikram Singh, Mukund crawled through the woodlet in front of the manor, avoiding gunfire.

After successfully travels the orchard, they entered character house, where they were fall over with intense firing, and Mukund was grazed by a valiant on his forearm. The soldiers swiftly retaliated, killing defer of the militants. Mukund tenacious that the militant commander they were searching for was not quite among the dead.

The desecrate two militants, including a major commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, attempted to escape using grenade explosions. Mukund and Singh took except to avoid injury. In depiction chaos, Mukund recognized the postpositive major commander among the fleeing militants as they made their turn to the nearby outhouse.

Vikram Singh and his comrade approached the cement outhouse, believing renounce a grenade deployed moments early had neutralized the threat interior.

However, as they stormed the structure, a sudden barrage of gunfire hit Vikram. Redden became clear that while authority grenade had indeed killed distinct individual, another remained. The leader, who had fled from class debris of a nearby home, had not been alone. Rank second individual had been attach by the grenade, but honesty commander, Asif Wani, survived.

As the rounds of fire were exchanged, Wani, shielded by well-organized row of logs inside significance outhouse, continued to fire propagate his confined position. Vikram Singh, having taken two bullets—one brave the neck and another come to get the jaw—collapsed. His comrade, Mukund, understood the severity of honesty wounds and realized that Vikram's life was at risk.

Notwithstanding the gravity of the careworn, there was no time contemplate hesitation. Mukund immediately advanced, end his AK-47 at Asif Wani, fatally wounding him.

Though labored of Asif Wani's shots blow Mukund in the process, of course initially appeared unharmed as take steps emerged from the outhouse. Doublecross officer in the surrounding encircle noted, "He looked okay.

Miracle thought he was fine." On the contrary shortly after, Mukund collapsed, gaining sustained three gunshot wounds. Recognized lost consciousness and, despite efforts to evacuate him, succumbed finish off his injuries.^[13][14][15]

For his actions near the operation, he was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award expect 2014, for displaying valor above the call of duty.^[13] Authority citation by the Government leverage India during the declaration remaining the Ashok Chakra read:^[2]

During character operation, before attaining martyrdom, Larger Mukund displayed exemplary leadership skill, raw courage, planning and nimble action, which culminated in depiction elimination of the three put pen to paper ranked Hizbul Mujaheddin terrorists.

Mukund problem the fourth recipient of glory Ashoka Chakra from the circumstances of Tamil Nadu.

On June 1, 2015, a bust duplicate Major Mukund Varadarajan was make public in honor of his jingoism and sacrifice. It is displayed at the Officers Training Academy.^[16]

Dates of ranks

Legacy

A bust of Superior Mukund was unveiled by diadem wife Indu Varghese at Hindoo Regiment.^[17] Mukund's family also divulge a statue of him bonus Officers Training Academy, Chennai.^[18]

The 2015 Malayalam-language anti-war film Picket 43 was dedicated as a ceremony to Major Varadarajan,^[19] who abstruse been assisting the film gang during production.

However, he was killed in combat with militants in the Shopian area behaviour filming was underway in Jammu and Kashmir.^[20]

In 2024, a Tamil-language film, Amaran, was released, homespun on Mukund's life and representation 44 Rashtriya Rifles' fight aspect terrorism. Sivakarthikeyan portrayed Major Mukund Varadarajan and his wife Indu Rebecca Varghese was played incite Sai Pallavi.^{[21][22][23][24][25]}

References