Captain U Ramdas

Captain U Ramdas hailed from the Thrissur district in Kerala. He was an extremely endearing human being who nurtured the idea of donning olive green right from his younger days. He studied at the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Doon Valley, Dehradun, and later got selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA). He excelled in various aspects of training at NDA and developed into a disciplined and hardworking individual. He was also appointed as the ‘Divisional Cadet Captain’ of his squadron, a coveted position during NDA training. He graduated from NDA in 1967 and then went to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun for further training.

He graduated from IMA Dehradun in 1968 with outstanding commendation and was commissioned as 2nd Lt into the 7 Para Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, an airborne and special forces regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised in 1945 as part of the British Indian Army but was disbanded after WW-II and was re-raised in 1952 as part of the Indian Army.  The 7 Para Battalion was raised in 1964 and was specially trained in Airborne assault operations. 

Indo-Pak War : 08 Dec 1971

In December 1971, India had to go to war with Pakistan due to the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani army in their erstwhile eastern part of the country, which resulted in an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. Months before that, Army units were put on high alert and moved to forward locations. During December 1971, Capt Ramdas’s unit, the 7th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (7 Para), functioning under the operational control of the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade, was deployed in the Eastern sector. As part of ongoing operations, the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade, planned India's first airborne assault operation to capture Poongli Bridge in Mymensingh District near Dhaka. The assault was planned with 2 Para in the airborne role, 7 Para as the advance guard, and the rest of the brigade in a ground role. Capt U Ramdas was functioning as the Intelligence Officer of the battalion and had a very good rapport with the 'Commanding Officer' of the battalion. 

On 08 Dec 1971, as Capt U Ramdas and his comrades were advancing in the Magura Sector of East Pakistan, they encountered the enemy at a place called Khajura. Capt U Ramdas quickly realized the gravity of the situation and took charge. He reorganized his troops tactically and led a frontal attack against the enemy positions. He observed that an enemy LMG was impeding the advance of his troops and had to be silenced at any cost. Without caring for his safety, he moved quickly with the help of supporting fire from his troops to the entrance of the enemy bunker having the LMG. The enemy soldiers taken aback by the sudden attack, panicked and ran out of the bunker. Demonstrating exceptional bravery, Capt Ramdas engaged the enemy soldiers directly. As a Pakistani soldier emerged from the bunker, Capt Ramdas swiftly bayoneted him, neutralizing the immediate threat. However, in the chaos of the battle, a grenade was thrown by one of the defending Pakistani soldiers. The grenade exploded, causing injuries to Capt Ramdas and his comrades. Capt Ramdas soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.

Capt Ramdas’s actions on that day were marked by total disregard for his personal safety. Capt U Ramdas was a gallant soldier and a gritty officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty.  Capt U Ramdas is survived by his brothers Dr U Sarat Chandran and Dr U Nanda Kumar and sister Smt U Prema. 

• The family of Captain U Ramdas has established a clinic in his memory in their village, Mayannur in Thrissur, Kerala, to provide medical care to the underprivileged.