Captain R Harshan AC

Captain R Harshan was born on 15 April 1980 in Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to K Radhakrishnan Nair and Chitrambika. From a young age, he displayed remarkable discipline, leadership qualities, and a strong sense of purpose, which set him apart from his peers. His early education at Sainik School Kazhakootam played a pivotal role in shaping his character and preparing him for a career in the armed forces. A multi-talented student, Harshan excelled in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. While he played a variety of sports, his leadership skills shone through as he captained the school’s Volleyball and Basketball teams. His oratory skills and love for literature were equally impressive. He was a voracious reader, particularly drawn to books on military history and warfare, which further fueled his ambition to serve in the armed forces. His schoolmates fondly remember his stellar portrayal of Brutus in the play Julius Caesar during the school’s Annual Day function.

Recognizing his natural leadership abilities, the school appointed him as the School Captain in his final year, a role in which he led with distinction. His unwavering commitment to excellence earned him the prestigious ‘Best All-Round Cadet’ award, a testament to his dedication and versatility. From a young age, he had nurtured a singular dream—to become a paratrooper and serve in the most elite ranks of the Indian Army. Determined to turn his dream into reality, Harshan secured admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA), where he underwent rigorous training and honed his leadership and combat skills. After graduating from the NDA, he moved on to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where he further refined his military acumen. His hard work and perseverance bore fruit when he was commissioned into the prestigious 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, popularly known as the ‘Red Devils’—an elite airborne unit of the Indian Army. His unwavering commitment and exceptional performance during the demanding probation period quickly earned him recognition among his peers and superiors. His excellence in military tactics and combat readiness led to him being nominated for special weapons training in Israel, a rare and prestigious opportunity granted only to the most promising officers. Captain Harshan's journey was a reflection of his fearlessness, discipline, and deep-rooted patriotism. He embodied the true spirit of a warrior—undaunted in the face of challenges, relentless in his pursuit of excellence, and unwavering in his dedication to his country.

Baramulla Operation: 20th Mar 2007

during 2006, Captain R Harshan was posted to Jammu & Kashmir, where his unit was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the terrorist-infested Baramulla district. Given the region’s volatile nature, his battalion was tasked with conducting frequent reconnaissance missions and intelligence-based operations to neutralize terrorist threats. With his sharp tactical acumen and fearless approach, Captain Harshan quickly established himself as a formidable leader on the battlefield. On 7th March 2007, while leading his team on a routine patrol, Captain Harshan observed suspicious movement in the undergrowth. Sensing an imminent threat, he immediately ordered his troops to take strategic positions, ensuring they were prepared for any eventuality. His instincts proved correct when he soon spotted a terrorist attempting to evade detection.

In a calculated and daring move, Captain Harshan crawled through the dense underbrush, skillfully maneuvering to get within striking distance of the militant. With precise marksmanship, he eliminated the terrorist with a well-aimed shot. However, before he could reposition himself, another terrorist retaliated with heavy fire. Undeterred and unmindful of his own safety, Captain Harshan charged at the second militant in a bold offensive move. Engaging him in close combat, he swiftly neutralized the threat, single-handedly killing both terrorists. His remarkable presence of mind and combat proficiency ensured a successful mission, further solidifying his reputation as a fearless warrior. Barely two weeks later, on 19th March 2007, intelligence reports indicated the presence of four heavily armed terrorists hiding in a village in Baramulla district. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the unit devised a covert nighttime operation to eliminate the insurgents before they could flee or cause civilian casualties. The responsibility of leading this high-risk mission naturally fell upon Captain Harshan, whose battlefield instincts and fearless leadership had already proven invaluable.

In the early hours of 20th March, under the cover of darkness, Captain Harshan and his team stealthily cordoned off the targeted house, ensuring all escape routes were blocked. At approximately 3:50 AM, the terrorists, realizing they were trapped, attempted to break the cordon by rushing out while firing indiscriminately. In a swift and daring counter-offensive, Captain Harshan eliminated the leader of the terrorist group with a precise shot. However, in the ensuing gunfight, he was hit by a bullet in his thigh. Ignoring the pain and refusing to retreat, he continued to hold his ground, engaging the enemy with unyielding determination. Despite his injury, he took down another terrorist, showcasing extraordinary resilience and combat skill. At this critical juncture, a third terrorist fired upon him, hitting him in the neck. Even with a life-threatening wound, Captain Harshan mustered his last reserves of strength, lobbed a grenade, and injured the third terrorist before collapsing from his injuries.

Despite Captain Harshan’s valiant stand, he succumbed to his wounds before he could witness his team successfully eliminate the remaining two terrorists, securing a decisive victory for the operation. His fellow soldier, Lance Naik Bhawan Singh, also made the supreme sacrifice during the encounter, exemplifying the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army. Captain R Harshan’s unparalleled bravery, indomitable spirit, and supreme sacrifice were posthumously recognized with India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the "Ashok Chakra". His courage under fire and steadfast commitment to his mission made him the youngest recipient of this prestigious honour in Indian military history.

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• In honour of the unflinching courage displayed by Capt R Harshan, his statue was unveiled at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre (PRTC), Bangalore, on the occasion of 56th Raising Day of the Parachute Regiment

Lt Colonel S Srivastava, second in command of Capt Harshan’s battalion paying tributes to him said “I had known him all the four years that he had been in 2 Para. I had not met another officer like him in any Special Forces formation. So quiet and so soft spoken that we often have to really proud him to speak up, yet so good at his job that he was handling the entire training of his formation by himself,”. He was completely committed, almost obsessed with his missions. He had led so many anti-terrorist strikes before. He was a lot more than a colleague to me.”

The citation for the “Ashok Chakra” awarded to him reads:

In 2007, Captain Harshan was commanding 'A' team of 2 Para Regiment in Lolab valley of Jammu and Kashmir to track down the foreign terrorists. On 07 March 2007, while leading a small team he eliminated two terrorists single handedly.

On 20 March 2007, when he received a message that some terrorists were hiding in a house. Captain Harshan immediately moved with his troops to the suspected house and cordoned it off. At 0430 hours taking advantage of poor visibility four terrorists attempted to break through the cordon and rushed out firing towards Captain Harshan and his buddy. Despite being outnumbered, Captain Harshan killed one terrorist on the spot. However, in the exchange of fire, he was hit by bullets in his thigh. Unmindful of his injuries, he bravely charged at another terrorist and killed him. Despite a gunshot wound on his neck he continued to engage the terrorists and before succumbing to injuries, fatally injured a third terrorist. In this action, Captain Harshan R displayed leadership and courage of the highest order and made the supreme sacrifice. He was awarded Ashoka Chakra, posthumously.