Major Ganesh Madappa was born on 5th February 1963 to an army veteran Capt C P Madappa and Smt Seethamma Madappa. He belonged to the Kodagu district in Karnataka. He was commissioned into 82 Armd Regt of the Armoured Corps, the combat arm of the Indian Army. After serving with his parent unit for over a decade, he got deputed to serve with 36 RR battalion deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. During September 1995, Maj Ganesh Madappa’s unit 36 RR was deployed in Budgam district of J&K.
| Service Number | IC 5207 |
| Place of Birth | Karnataka |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 82 Armd Regt/ 36 RR |
| Regiment | Armoured Corps |
| Award | Shaurya Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 27th September 1995 |
On 27th September 1995, an operation was launched to neutralise terrorists hiding in a village in the Budgam district, based on intelligence information. Maj Ganesh Madappa and his troops reached the suspected area as per the plan and launched the search and cordon operation. But the terrorists panicked with the presence of the troops and in a bid to escape attacked them from a house nearby. Maj Ganesh quickly analysed the situation and deployed his men tactically to cordon off the suspected house. Maj Ganesh himself rushed forward and directed his men to block the escape routes. The terrorists in a desperate attempt to escape rushed out firing indiscriminately. A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter with Maj Ganesh courageously engaging the terrorists from a close range, without caring for his safety. However, while doing so, he received multiple gunshots but continued to fire at the militants. In a show of rare courage and determination, he managed to eliminate one terrorist before collapsing. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Major Ganesh Madappa was awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for his exceptional valour, leadership, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.
