Col MN Rai YSM SC

Colonel Munindra Nath Rai hailed from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 26 November 1965. He was the youngest among three brothers in a family deeply rooted in the tradition of military service. His eldest brother, Lt Col D N Rai, also served in the Gorkha Regiment, while his second brother, Y N Rai, dedicated his service to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This strong family background in uniformed services significantly influenced Col Rai’s own path of duty and sacrifice. Col Rai was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the 9 Gorkha Rifles (2/9 GR) on 5 September 1997. From the beginning of his military career, he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, operational acumen, and an unwavering sense of duty. Over the years, he evolved into a highly respected officer, known for his tactical brilliance and deep connection with the men under his command. In May 2013, Col Rai was deputed to the Rashtriya Rifles (RR)—India’s elite counter-insurgency force—and assumed command of the 42nd Battalion of the RR. Under his leadership, the battalion was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in the volatile areas of South Kashmir. His deep operational understanding and ability to inspire his troops made a significant impact on the ground.

By the time he took over the command of 42 RR, Col Rai had already completed more than 15 years of distinguished service. During this tenure, he led multiple successful missions to contain insurgency and neutralize militant threats in the region. His leadership was marked not just by tactical success but by courage, commitment, and exemplary professionalism. In recognition of his outstanding service and gallantry, Col M N Rai was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal on the eve of Republic Day in 2015. This prestigious award was conferred for his exceptional role in planning and executing operations, including a high-risk encounter with militants in South Kashmir in 2014. 

Tral Operation: 27 Jan 2015

By January 2015, Col Rai had completed nearly one and a half years as commanding officer of 42 RR, which was responsible for counter-insurgency operations in the Tral sector in Pulwama district of J & K. Tral had been a hotbed of militancy as it provided suitable terrain for militants to operate. On 27 January 2015, upon receiving specific intelligence regarding the presence of heavily armed terrorists in Hundur, Tral (J&K), Colonel MN Rai, Commanding Officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, immediately swung into action. Leading from the front, he rushed to the spot with his Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and swiftly cordoned off the suspected house, ensuring that the militants were cut off from possible escape routes. During the operation, the father of one of the terrorists came out and pleaded with Col Rai to give the terrorists a chance to surrender. Always one to value human life and minimize bloodshed, Col Rai began the process of negotiations. However, in a sudden turn of events, the terrorists betrayed the trust extended to them and rushed out of the house, firing indiscriminately at close range at Col Rai and his party.

In the face of this treacherous assault and despite being grievously wounded, Col Rai displayed unparalleled courage and presence of mind. Refusing to retreat or give in to his injuries, he pressed forward in close combat and personally eliminated one dreaded Category A+ terrorist in a fierce exchange of fire. Even as his condition deteriorated, he continued to inspire and direct his men with an indomitable spirit. When the second terrorist attempted to break the cordon by firing wildly to escape, Col Rai—bleeding profusely yet unflinching—stood his ground. With extraordinary grit and leadership, he blocked the escape route, motivating his men to continue engaging the enemy. His relentless resistance and effective command enabled his team to neutralize the second terrorist as well, thereby preventing further bloodshed and safeguarding his troops. For this most conspicuous act of gallantry, leadership, and supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty, Colonel MN Rai, Yudh Seva Medal, was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 2015. His valorous action remains an inspiring example of the finest traditions of the Indian Army—where the safety of the nation and fellow soldiers is placed above one’s own life.

Col M N Rai is survived by his wife Smt Priyanka, daughters Ms Alka & Ms Richa, and son Aditya. At the funeral of Col M N Rai, his daughter Alka, then 11 years old, made his Regiment and the entire nation proud by bidding her father a farewell with the Gurkha Regiment’s war cry, “Ayo Gorkhali” meaning ” The Gorkhas are here”.

The citation for the "Shaurya Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 27 Jan 2015, on receiving information about the presence of dreaded terrorists in Hundur, he rushed and cordoned off the suspect house with his Quick Reaction Team. At this, the father of a terrorist came out and pleaded that the terrorists want to surrender. While negotiations were going on, the two terrorists suddenly rushed out, firing indiscriminately at close quarters at the Commanding Officer’s party. Caught in a hail of bullets and grievously wounded, the officer, in an act of incomparable gallantry and superhuman effort, closed in and killed deaded category A+ terrorist in a fierce gunfight. Realising that the second terrorist was trying to escape by firing indiscriminately, he, undeterred and unmindful of his grievous injuries, resisted his troops and continued to fire effectively to block the terrorist’s escape route till the time the second terrorist was also eliminated by his team.

For the most conspicuous act of bravery and supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty in the face of danger, Col MN Rai, Yudh Seva Medal, was awarded “Shaurya Chakra” (Posthumous) on 15 Aug 2015. He made the supreme sacrifice of his life after killing many hardcore terrorists in the J&K valley on 27 Jan 2015.

• Lt Gen Subrata Saha said, "He was always in the frontline, leading his men to deliver exceedingly well. If it were not for his quick response, quite clearly, there could have been causalities on the civilians who were there in the vicinity along with his brother and others.”
• "Clearly because traditionally and as per our ethos, Indian Army officers always led from the front and it is a matter of pride for us that we have officers of such calibre and such commitment who, even at the rank of the commanding officer, a very senior rank, chose to fight from the front with their men at all times," he said.
• “Col Rai always led from the front in multiple operations that he carried out in 2014 and also in 2015. He combined bravery with compassion and people in Tral knew him very well for his several initiatives,” he told reporters. “The supreme sacrifice of the brave men only strengthens our resolve to fight all elements inimical to the security of Kashmir,” he said. Rai had taken "a number of initiatives for the positive engagement of youth like organizing cricket and football tournaments".
• "Clearly under his leadership, we could say that the narrative in Tral was changing. He earned the admiration of all the administration for his meticulous planning and we have seen how Tral turned out to vote," Lt Gen Saha said.
• Speaking to media persons, Col Rai’s father said his youngest son was “simple and honest, with no trace of anger”. While the martyr’s parents and his wife Priyanka were inconsolable, his three children — Alka and Richa (8) and Aditya (6) — tried putting up a brave face.
• “He was full of life; always cracking jokes, making people laugh,” Major Sanjay Tanwar, Rai’s former batchmate said.
• “He walked shoulder-to-shoulder with his men,” Tanwar, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, said.
• “Life is in the academy is tough. The training is aggressive and the atmosphere is tense. But, there was never a dull moment with Rai. He always cracked jokes that revolved around a character Pappu, so Pappu became his nickname,” Tanwar recalled.
• “During training, we saw a different side of him… One day we had to ‘race back’ to our academy. The exercise involves running long distances with a 20 kg weight on the back along with one’s rifle. That’s when we saw the ‘superhuman’ side of him. Some of us were dehydrated. He not only carried his own bag then but two more bags to ensure that the platoon doesn’t feel let down. That was the sense of his pride,” Tanwar said.
• "Play your role in life with such passion, that even after the curtains are down, the applause does not stop" said the last status message on his Whats App.