Colonel N Jayachandran Nair AC KC

Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair, fondly known as “NJ,” was born on February 17, 1951, in Ernakulam, a vibrant city in the state of Kerala, which was part of the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin region at the time. He was born into a distinguished family; his father, Shri R. Neelakantan Nair, and mother, Smt P. Saraswathy Amma, provided a nurturing environment that emphasized education and strong values. Colonel Nair’s lineage traces back to the illustrious Kappazhom Raman Pillai, a former Dewan Peshkar (Chief Administrator) of Travancore, instilling a sense of heritage and responsibility from a young age. Col Nair’s early education was at the prestigious Sainik School, Kazhakootam, Kerala, a school known for grooming future military leaders. His time at Sainik School laid the foundation for his military career, where he developed a passion for the armed forces, discipline, and leadership. He excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities, showing an early aptitude for the qualities that would define his career.

Driven by a strong desire to serve the nation, Col Nair joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, enrolling in the 38th NDA course. He was a part of the 'I Squadron,' where he formed lifelong bonds with his peers and underwent rigorous training that prepared him for the challenges of military life. At the NDA, he honed his skills in leadership, strategy, and physical fitness, excelling in various aspects of military training. Upon completing his training at the NDA, Col Nair went on to attend the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where he underwent advanced military training and further developed his tactical and leadership skills. His time at the IMA solidified his commitment to a life of service and honour in the Indian Army. He was commissioned into the 16th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (16 Maratha LI) on June 18, 1971, just months before the outbreak of the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The Maratha Light Infantry is one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army, known for its battle-hardened soldiers and a proud history of valiant service. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on June 13, 1973, and to Captain on June 13, 1977, reflecting his growing responsibilities and proven leadership skills. During these years, he gained extensive operational experience, serving in various terrains and challenging environments. He participated in multiple field operations, displaying exceptional tactical acumen and an ability to adapt to diverse situations.

In addition to his field experience, Col Nair’s career included significant contributions as an instructor and staff officer. He was selected to serve as an instructor at the Army Intelligence School in Pune, where he imparted his knowledge and experience to young officers and soldiers. His role as an instructor highlighted his deep understanding of military tactics, intelligence gathering, and counter-insurgency operations. He also furthered his professional development by attending the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. The DSSC is a premier institution that trains officers in staff and command responsibilities, equipping them with advanced strategic skills. His time at DSSC enhanced his expertise in military strategy and operations, preparing him for higher leadership roles within the army.

One of the notable highlights of Col Nair’s career was his tenure with the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan. IMTRAT is a prestigious assignment, focused on providing military training and strategic advice to the Royal Bhutan Army. Col Nair’s role in IMTRAT demonstrated his versatility and capability in handling international military collaborations, further broadening his experience and understanding of regional security dynamics. During his service in Bhutan, Col Nair played a crucial role in strengthening military ties between India and Bhutan, contributing to the training and operational readiness of the Bhutanese forces. His work there was highly regarded and added to his reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable officer. His career in the Indian Army spanned over two decades, during which he held various command and staff appointments. His experience ranged from leading troops in high-altitude warfare to serving in counter-insurgency operations. 

During 1983, Col Nair’s unit was deployed in the Mizoram area and engaged in anti-insurgency operations. On 13 Feb 1983, Col Nair’s unit was tasked to launch an operation to flush out insurgents suspected to be in their hideout. Col Nair himself led the operation and engaged the insurgents in close-quarter combat. The operation was successful and he was awarded the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for displaying exceptional gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy.

Nagaland Operation: 20th Dec 1993

During 1993, Col Nair’s unit was deployed in Nagaland, infested with insurgents engaged in anti-national activities. On the morning of December 20, 1993, Col N Jayachandran Nair was leading a military convoy on the Mokokchung-Mariani Road, a strategic route in the insurgency-affected area of Nagaland. The region was notorious for militant activities, and the convoy was part of a movement aimed at ensuring security and maintaining a presence in the volatile region. As the convoy advanced through the dense forest and winding mountain roads, it was negotiating a series of sharp bends, a location often exploited by insurgents for surprise attacks. At around 8:40 a.m., as Col Nair and his men were making their way through one such series of bends, they fell into a well-planned ambush. About one hundred armed insurgents, equipped with sophisticated and automatic weapons, launched a sudden and intense assault from well-prepared, concealed positions on the hillside. The insurgents unleashed a barrage of gunfire, targeting the convoy with precision. The overwhelming firepower took a devastating toll injuring Col Nair too. Despite sustaining serious injuries himself, Col Nair exhibited remarkable composure. He was bleeding and in severe pain, but his resolve remained unshaken. He understood that the ambush was a critical moment where the lives of his remaining men depended on decisive action. 

Col Nair, refusing to be unnerved by the overwhelming attack, took immediate and bold action. Crawling through the gunfire, he managed to reach the other side of the road, positioning himself against the slope of the raised ground. The situation was dire, with his men pinned down by relentless enemy fire. Recognizing the need to disrupt the insurgents’ firing rhythm, Col Nair devised a quick and daring plan. Balancing himself against the slope despite his injuries, he ordered a Lance Naik to mount on his shoulders. This unconventional move allowed the Lance Naik to gain height and throw two hand grenades directly at the insurgents’ firing positions. The grenades exploded, temporarily silencing the enemy fire and creating a brief but crucial pause in the ambush. Seizing this moment, Col Nair rallied his remaining men, organizing them into an assault line. With indomitable courage and a fierce determination to turn the tide of the battle, he led the charge from the front, shouting commands and inspiring his soldiers to fight back against the overwhelming odds. Charging towards the insurgents, Col Nair engaged them in close-quarter combat, killing one of the militants himself. His leadership was a powerful display of resolve; despite his severe injuries, he continued to exhort his men, urging them to press forward. The sight of their commanding officer, bleeding but undeterred, leading the assault with such fearlessness had a galvanizing effect on the troops. 

The insurgents, faced with the extraordinary courage and aggressive counterattack led by Col Nair, began to falter. They broke ranks and fled, unable to withstand the ferocity of the Indian Army’s response. Col Nair’s leadership and bravery had turned a near-certain defeat into a hard-fought victory. However, the cost was high. In the course of the battle, Col Nair bore the brunt of the automatic fire from the insurgents. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds but refused to fall back or seek cover. He continued to fight, driven by a singular focus on protecting his men and repelling the attackers. His body was later found 300 meters away from the initial site of the ambush, near the firing position of the insurgents. It was clear that Col Nair had continued his assault even as he faced heavy fire, embodying the true spirit of a soldier who leads from the front. 

Col N Jayachandran Nair attained martyrdom, but not before he had broken the ambush and inspired his men to secure the area. His actions during the ambush were a display of exceptional bravery and leadership, well beyond the call of duty. Besides Col Nair, thirteen other soldiers including a JCO were martyred during the entire operation. The brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice alongside Col N Jayachandran Nair include Nb Sub Bhosale MS, Hav Shedge Laxman S, Nk Nikam Balu S, L/Nk Chougule JR, L/Nk AG Jadhav, Sep Ramesh S Kakade, Sep Pabale Nitin M, Sep Jadhav Gorakh N, Sep Patil Mahadev R, Sep Kulkarani NP, Sep Surender, Sep Patil Subhash S, and Sep Deepak Galande.

Col Nair as a commanding officer of his unit acted as a true military leader and saved the lives of his men through his daredevil action and unyielding fighting spirit. Col N Jayachandran Nair was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ” Ashok Chakra” for his outstanding courage and supreme sacrifice.

Colonel N Jayachandran Nair is survived by his wife Smt Manju Nair.

The citation of Ashoka Chakra awarded to him reads:

On 20th of December, 1993, Col Nair was leading the advance party of the convoy moving towards Mon on the Mokotchung-Mariani Road in Nagaland. At 8.40 am when Col Nair and his men were negotiating a series of road bends, they were ambushed by about one hundred armed insurgents from well-prepared positions. The overwhelming fire from sophisticated and automatic weapons killed 1 Junior Commissioned Officer and 13 Jawans on the spot. Col Nair, who was also seriously injured, did not lose courage nor was he unnerved.

Col Nair crawled to the other side of the road balanced himself against the slope of the raised ground, orders a Lance Naik to mount on his shoulders and throw two hand grenades on the firing position of the insurgents. Consequently, their firing stopped. Making use of this brief pause, Col Nair organized his jawans in an assault line. With indomitable courage and grim determination, he charged at the insurgents killing one of them. Despite his serious personal injuries, throughout the charge, Col Nair led from the front, exhorting and inspiring his men. Faced with such extraordinary courage, the insurgents broke ranks and fled. Under extremely difficult circumstances while grappling with the insurgents and eventually putting them to flight, Col Nair was constantly a source of inspiration to the men under his command. In this action, Col Nair bore the brunt of automatic fire of the insurgents and attained martyrdom. His body was found 300 meters away from the site of an ambush near the firing position of the insurgents.

Thus Col Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair, Kirit Chakra, in the best tradition of the Indian Army, displayed courage and gallantry of the highest order, much above and beyond the call of duty.

The citation of Kirti Chakra awarded to him reads:

In 1983 in Mizoram, Col Nair had gone through a similar experience of engaging the insurgents in a close quarter combat and had killed one of them, notwithstanding serious bullet injuries in both his thighs. Col Nair had then been decorated with Kirti Chakra in recognition of his exceptional gallantry.