Captain Harshan R AC

Baramulla Operation: 20th Mar 2007

During 2006, Captain 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 manoeuvring 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 skills. 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 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.

Captain Harshan Radhakrishnan Nair is survived by his father, Shri K. Radhakrishnan Nair, and his mother, Smt. GS Chitrambika.

• In honour of the unflinching courage displayed by Capt Harshan R, his statue was unveiled at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre (PRTC), Bangalore, on the occasion of the 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 prod 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 the 2 Para Regiment in the 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, 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 to 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 the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.