Sep M Murali Naik

Sepoy Mudhavath Murali Naik was a proud son of Kalli Thanda, a small tribal hamlet located in the Satya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. Born into a modest agricultural family, he was the only son of Shri Mudavath Sriram Naik and Smt Mudavath Jyoti Bai. His family moved to Mumbai in 1995 and resides in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai. Despite the economic challenges faced by his family, Sep Murali displayed determination and a strong sense of purpose from an early age. He pursued his early education at Vigyan High School in Somandepalli, where he was known for his discipline and commitment to his studies. With a strong desire to serve the nation, Sep Murali chose the path of the armed forces and joined the Indian Army as an Agniveer in November 2022 under the Agnipath scheme. He underwent rigorous training at the Army Training Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra, where he honed his physical endurance and combat skills.

Upon successful completion of his training, Sepoy Murali Naik was inducted into the 851 Light Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery—a prestigious and vital combat arm of the Indian Army, renowned for its expertise in operating field guns and howitzers that provide crucial firepower support on the battlefield. 

Operation Sindoor (J&K): 08/09 May 2025

In May 2025, Sepoy Mudhavath Murali Naik was deployed with his unit, 851 Light Regiment, in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control (LoC)—a 740-kilometre stretch that forms part of the 3,323-kilometre-long border India shares with Pakistan. The LoC remains one of the most volatile and strategically sensitive regions in the country, witnessing frequent ceasefire violations and unprovoked attacks by Pakistani forces. These transgressions are often used as a diversion to facilitate terrorist infiltration, orchestrated with the support of Pakistan’s security agencies. The threat is compounded by the involvement of the Border Action Team (BAT)—a lethal formation consisting of Pakistani Special Forces and heavily armed militants trained for cross-border assaults. On the night of 09 May 2025, Pakistani forces launched a heavy barrage of shelling and gunfire, targeting Indian forward posts and adjoining civilian areas. Mortar rounds and artillery shells landed alarmingly close to inhabited villages, putting both soldiers and civilians at grave risk.

This attack followed Operation Sindoor, a precision strike conducted by the Indian Armed Forces earlier that day in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), striking training camps and launch pads used for cross-border infiltration. In retaliation, Pakistani forces escalated tensions by initiating unprovoked firing across multiple sectors along the LoC. During this period of heightened conflict, a forward post manned by the 851 Light Regiment came under sudden and intense enemy fire. Amid the chaos, Sepoy Murali Naik displayed exemplary courage and determination. Despite the overwhelming assault, he held his position and fulfilled his duties with unwavering resolve. Tragically, he sustained critical injuries in the exchange of fire. Though he was given immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his wounds and was martyred in the line of duty. Sepoy Murali Naik was just 25 years old at the time of his martyrdom. A dedicated and fearless soldier, he embodied the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His supreme sacrifice stands as a solemn testament to the bravery, vigilance, and unwavering commitment of the armed forces in defending the nation’s sovereignty and protecting its people.

Sepoy Mudhavath Murali Naik is survived by his father, Shri Mudavath Sriram Naik, and mother, Smt Mudavath Jyoti Bai.