Service No : IC-37274M
Date of Birth : January 1, 1956
Place of birth : Chennai, (TN)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Captain
Unit : 65 Armd Regt
Arm/Regt : The Armoured Corps
Operation : Op Pawan
Awards : Sena Medal
Martyrdom : October 18, 1987
Capt Sudhakar Madhavan hailed from Chennai in Tamil Nadu and was born on 01 Jan 1956. He always nursed the idea of serving in the Armed Forces since his younger days, which got further strengthened when he joined the NCC during his student days. Eventually his dream came true when after completing his MA First year at Pachaiyappa College, he got selected to join the Officers Training Academy at Chennai in May 1977.
He got commissioned on 18 mar 1978 as Second Lieutenant at the age of 22 years. He was commissioned into 65 Armoured Regiment of the Armoured Corps, the potent combat arm of the Indian Army well known for its tanks and other heavy weaponry. Raised after the Indo-Pak war of 1965, on 1 September 1966, as the 65th Cavalry, its designation was changed to 65th Armoured Regiment in August 1967. The regiment was initially equipped with the up gunned Sherman Mk IV and Mk V tanks. Later it became one of the first regiments in the Army to be equipped with T-72 tanks. Soon he got promoted to the rank of Captain and developed into a committed soldier and fine officer who took immense pride in being a part of 65 Armd Regt.
After serving for few years Capt Sudhakar Madhavan got married to Ms Shobha on 06th Sept 1984 and the couple had a son Abhishek. Besides being a deep rooted soldier, he had keen interest in football and rifle shooting. He played football during his college days and also represented his Regiment in various tournaments. He got posted to 3 (Independent) Brigade at Jammu in the year 1984 and then to Jhansi in June 1987.
Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka) : Oct 1987
During 1987, Capt Sudhakar Madhavan was serving with his Regiment at Jhansi. After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, as part of Indo-Sri Lanka accord signed on 29 July 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed war on Indian forces. Initially only 54 division of the Army was inducted but the escalation of the operations brought three more divisions 3, 4 and 57 into the conflict. 65 Armd Regt was one of the first units to reach Sri Lanka, arriving in Jaffna in October 1987. Capt Sudhakar Madhavan along with a troop of tanks of "A" squadron of the Regiment was the first to be airlifted to Jaffna on 12 Oct 1987.
Capt Sudhakar Madhavan's Regiment performed a wide variety of roles including clearing road-blocks, keeping railways and roads open, ambushes and raids. On 17/18 Oct 1987, Capt Sudhakar Madhavan's Regiment was tasked to support the troops of 72 & 115 Infantry Brigades functioning under the operational control of under 54 Infantry Division in the battle of Jaffna University. However, during the heavy exchange of fire in this battle, some of his comrades got injured and were trapped inside a tank. Capt Sudhakar Madhavan in a daring move decided to rescue his trapped soldiers without caring for his won safety. However while doing so, he got seriously wounded. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Capt Sudhakar Madhavan displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a very high order during the operation.
Capt Sudhakar Madhavan was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal”, for his exceptional courage, indomitable spirit and supreme sacrifice during the operation. Capt Sudhakar Madhavan is survived by his wife Smt Shobha Sudhakar, son Shri Abhishek Sudhakar, daughter-in-law Smt Chhavi Sudhakar and grand son Vansh Sudhakar.
DS
2021 at 12:42 pmFwd to Mrs Sudhakar Madhvan,
Sudha was my coure mate, rather he was my Pl buddy
Shobha sudhakar
2021 at 3:28 pmThank u so much ..very happy to get to know sudhakar PI course mate ..yes I shall be forwarding the details and have his photo uploaded …actually our son Abhishek sudhakar is in the process. Thanks a lot for sharing it. .
Major Yogesh Kumar Puri
2021 at 12:59 pmCoursmate & a good friend.Always had a hearty smile on his face.Did us all proud by his valour & supreme sacrifice in Op Pawan.
RIP Buddy
atul
2021 at 10:25 amMy deep condolonces at this loss May god bless the Brave heart .Hope to have his full account soon for the book
Capt Sushil Tyagi
2023 at 10:39 pmFeel privileged to belong to same course as of Capt Sudhakar. You made us and your family proud.