Major Mukund Varadaranjan was born on 12th April 1983. He hailed from Tambaram in Tamil Nadu. He was commissioned from the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) and got recruited into 22 Rajput of the Rajput Regiment. He also served at the Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, and was also a part of the United Nations Mission in Lebanon. In December 2012, he was deputed to the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles and posted in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Service Number | IC-72861M |
Place of Birth | Tamil Nadu |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 44 RR |
Regiment | Rajput Rifles |
Award | Ashok Chakra |
Date of Martyrdom | 25th April 2014 |
In 2014, Major Mukund’s unit was posted in the Shopian district of J&K. On 25th April 2014, the intelligence inputs hinted about the presence of terrorists in Kaajipathri village in the Shopian district. A team under the leadership of Major Mukund launched an operation to flush out terrorists. They cordoned off the suspected area but the terrorists opened fire at the security forces. Maj Mukund in a swift action shot and killed one terrorist, simultaneously directing the fire of his troops. During the heavy exchange of fire, Maj Mukund got seriously injured but with total disregard to his injuries, he crawled forward and shot one more terrorist down. However, Major Mukund succumbed to his injuries.
Major Mukund displayed remarkable leadership and was awarded ‘Ashok Chakra’ posthumously.