Flt Lt P S Murali

Flight Lieutenant Paranji Srirama Murali hailed from Chengalpattu in the state of Tamil Nadu. A dedicated and academically accomplished individual, he pursued a degree in medicine before choosing to serve the nation by joining the Indian Air Force. His passion for service and commitment to national duty led him to be commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a medical officer on 22 January 1967. Upon commissioning, Flt Lt Murali was entrusted with the responsibility of providing critical medical care and support to Air Force personnel. Over the course of his service, he was posted at various Air Force bases across the country, where he played a vital role in maintaining the health and operational readiness of the units he was attached to. His professional dedication, clinical expertise, and compassionate approach earned him the respect and trust of his peers and superiors alike.

Recognizing his competence and growing experience, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 1968, just a year after his commissioning. This elevation in rank reflected his exemplary service and his increasing importance within the Air Force medical corps.

Indo - Pak war (Air Operation) : 17 Dec 1971

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Flight Lieutenant Paranji Srirama Murali was serving with No. 5 Air Force Hospital, stationed at Jorhat Air Force Base in Assam. This strategic airbase was also home to No. 43 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, a transport unit that had been formed at Jorhat on 20 January 1958. The squadron was equipped with C-47 Dakota aircraft, which had proven to be reliable workhorses for transport and supply missions, particularly in the challenging terrain of the eastern sector. When full-scale war broke out with Pakistan on 3 December 1971, No. 43 Squadron was actively involved in a range of critical air operations. Operating from multiple forward bases, the squadron flew numerous sorties in support of ground forces, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment to remote and hostile areas. Their role was especially vital in the Eastern sector, where swift and effective aerial support significantly contributed to the Indian military's success. Although the war officially ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces on 16 December 1971, several military operations and skirmishes continued, particularly in remote and strategically sensitive regions. On 17 December 1971, the day after the ceasefire, Flt Lt PS Murali was attached to 43 Squadron and assigned to participate in a continuing air support mission along the Mohanbari–Moriganj axis, a region in the eastern theatre of operations.

As part of this mission, Flt Lt Murali boarded a C-47 Dakota aircraft (tail number BJ-622). The aircrew for the mission included: Flight Lieutenant Joaquim D’Souza – Captain, Flying Officer S. Nandi – Co-pilot, Pilot Officer R.B. Umralikar – Navigator, Flight Sergeant H. Thakur – Flight Engineer Following standard protocol, the crew conducted their pre-flight checks and took off from Jorhat as planned. The mission initially progressed smoothly, but the aircraft soon developed a serious technical snag mid-flight. Despite the best efforts of the skilled crew, the malfunction rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. Tragically, the aircraft crashed over the Machuka area, located in the challenging terrain of Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China border. There were no survivors. Flt Lt PS Murali, along with all the other crew members—Flt Lt D’Souza, Fg Offr Nandi, Plt Offr Umralikar, and Flt Sgt Thakur—lost their lives in the crash. Flt Lt Paranji Srirama Murali was not only a dedicated and capable medical officer, but also a true air warrior who volunteered to serve in operational roles during wartime, going beyond his call of duty. His selfless service and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty remain a poignant reminder of the courage and commitment of the men and women of the Indian Air Force. He laid down his life upholding the highest traditions of the armed forces, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Flt Lt PS Murali is survived by his mother Smt PS Soundarmmal.