Major Muthanna was born on 12th July 1964 and hailed from Chettimani village, near Bhagamandala town in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district in Karnataka. He joined the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in October 1984 and was commissioned into the 5th Battalion of Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. In 1999, Major Muthanna was deputed to serve with 1 RR unit in J&K where it was deployed for counter-insurgency operations.
| Service Number | IC 45578 |
| Place of Birth | Karnataka |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 5 Sikh LI |
| Regiment | Sikh Light Infantry |
| Award | Shaurya Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 12th January 2000 |
On the 12th January 2000 at around 6 PM, the Army Base was attacked by four militants, who were armed with AK-47s, grenades, and rocket launchers. The heavily armed militants forced themselves into the barracks and began to fire indiscriminately. Major Muthanna in consultation with his commanding officer immediately swung into action and cordoned off the suspected area. Major Muthanna quickly entered the building and provided cover to the two injured soldiers while they were taken away to safety. In the meantime, he shot dead one of the two militants, but in the process, he sustained a bullet injury. A grenade hurled at him also exploded in his face, badly injuring him. Major Muthanna later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Major Muthanna was given the gallantry award “Shaurya Chakra” posthumously.
