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. The award served as a testament to his operational brilliance and fearless commitment to national security.

Tral Operation: 27 Jan 2015

By Jan 2015, Col Rai had completed nearly one and half years as commanding officer of 42 RR, which was responsible for counter-insurgency operations in 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 Jan 2015, the unit had received credible information about the presence of terrorists in the village under its area of operational control. After analyzing the situation a decision was taken by the security forces to launch a joint operation by the Army, CRPF, and the police.

The suspected militants were hiding in a house which was soon surrounded by the security forces. On being challenged the militants started firing and a fierce gun battle ensued. At this point, reportedly, the father and brother of one of the terrorists informed the assault team that the ultras would surrender. Col Rai displaying good leadership and following the Army doctrine of WHAM(Winning Hearts and Minds), decided to give the militants an opportunity to surrender. The militants, however, took advantage of this act of compassion and started firing in order to escape. The forces soon cornered the militants after a while and gunned down the two militants. But during the heavy exchange of fire Col M N Rai got severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Col M N Rai was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” for his cold courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice during this operation.

Col M N Rai was martyred in the operation but the exemplary courage and leadership skills displayed by Col Rai would always be remembered. Col M N Rai is survived by his wife Smt Priyanka, daughters Alka & 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 presence of dreaded terrorists in Hundur, he rushed and cordoned the suspect house with his Quick Reaction Team. At this, father of a terrorists 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 on 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 an killed one deaded category A+ terrorist, in 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 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 thesupreme sacrifice of his life after killing many hardcore terrorists in 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, 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.