Hav K Palani VrC

Havildar K. Palani was born on 03 June 1980 in Kadukkaloor village, located in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. He was born to Shri Kalimuthu and Smt. Logambai, a humble farming family that instilled in him the values of hard work, discipline, and integrity from an early age. Raised in a nurturing rural environment, he grew up with a strong sense of responsibility and resilience. An enthusiastic sportsman during his school years, he demonstrated excellent physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership qualities. From a young age, he harboured a deep aspiration to serve the nation in uniform. True to this calling, after completing his schooling, he joined the Indian Army at the young age of 18 on 29 April 1999. He was recruited into the 81 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, one of the Indian Army’s vital combat support arms, renowned for providing decisive firepower in both conventional and high-intensity operations. His induction into the Army marked the beginning of a life devoted to duty, sacrifice, and unwavering service to the nation.

Committed to self-improvement alongside his military responsibilities, Hav Palani pursued higher education and successfully completed his graduation through distance education while in service—a reflection of his determination and disciplined approach to personal growth. After several years of service, he married Ms Vanathi Devi, and together they built a close-knit family. The couple was blessed with two children—a son, Prasanna, and a daughter, Divya—who remained the centre of his life whenever he was home. Beyond his role as a soldier, Havildar Palani was a devoted family man. He diligently fulfilled his responsibilities not only towards his wife and children but also towards his extended family, including his brother and sister. His sense of duty extended seamlessly from the battlefield to the home, earning him deep respect and affection from all who knew him. By 2020, he had rendered approximately 22 years of distinguished service in the Indian Army. During this period, he served in multiple operational areas, often under extremely challenging and demanding conditions, displaying steadfast commitment and professionalism. In a poignant turn of events, his family finally moved into their own house at Kazhugoorani in Ramanathapuram district in June 2020, fulfilling a long-cherished dream—just a few days before he laid down his life in the line of duty. 

Operation Snow Leopard (Battle of Galwan): 15 June 2020

During June 2020, Havildar (Gunner) K Palani was serving with 81 Field Regiment, deployed in Eastern Ladakh close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as part of Operation "Snow Leopard". The deployment came against the backdrop of rapidly escalating tensions along the LAC. From April 2020, India observed a steady and coordinated buildup of Chinese troops, weapons, and supporting infrastructure in the region. By early May, Chinese forces began obstructing India’s long-established patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, leading to a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgression attempts were reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each intrusion was promptly detected and firmly countered by Indian forces, while India made it unequivocally clear—through diplomatic and military channels—that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo was unacceptable. With tensions continuing to rise, Senior Commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed to a process of mutual disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to refrain from activities that could disturb the prevailing situation. Despite this agreement, the Chinese side blatantly violated the understanding, instigating a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.

It was in this fraught operational environment that Havildar K Palani was deployed in the forbidding heights of Galwan Valley. On the night of 15 June, he was part of a patrol from 16 Bihar tasked with establishing an Observation Post, a vital requirement to monitor hostile movement and secure the area. As the patrol executed its task, it was confronted by aggressive enemy troops, and the situation rapidly escalated into brutal, close, hand-to-hand combat, fought without firearms, in darkness and extremely difficult terrain. Amid the chaos of the clash, Havildar K Palani displayed exceptional courage, composure, and presence of mind. Fighting with determination and resolve, he shielded his subordinates from the enemy’s violent onslaught, repeatedly placing himself between them and imminent danger. Even when outnumbered and encircled, he refused to yield. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he continued to defend his comrades. Despite being seriously injured by a sharp weapon, he stood his ground, rallying and inspiring fellow soldiers through his fearless conduct. His indomitable spirit galvanized the patrol to fight back fiercely and resist enemy aggression at a critical moment. Grievously wounded but unbroken in spirit, Havildar K Palani continued to hold his position resolutely. Upholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army, he ultimately made the supreme sacrifice, laying down his life in defence of the nation.

The clashes continued for several hours and resulted in heavy casualties. Havildar K Palani, Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, and 18 other brave soldiers laid down their lives in the line of duty. The fallen heroes included Naib Subedar Nandu Ram Soren, Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh, Havildar Bipul Roy, Havildar Sunil Kumar, Naik Deepak Singh, Sepoy Ganesh Hansda, Sepoy Chandan Kumar, Sepoy C.K. Pradhan, Sepoy Aman Kumar, Sepoy Kundan Kumar, Sepoy Rajesh Orang, Sepoy Ganesh Ram, Sepoy K.K. Ojha, Sepoy Jai Kishore Singh, Sepoy Gurtej Singh, Sepoy Ankush, and Sepoy Gurbinder Singh. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, exceptional courage in the face of the enemy, and supreme sacrifice, Havildar K Palani was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra" on 26 January 2021—a lasting symbol of honour, valour, and inspiration for the nation.

Hav K Palani is survived by his father Shri Kalimuthu, mother Smt Logambai, wife Smt Vanathi Devi, son Shri Prasanna and daughter Ms Divya.

The citation for the ‘Vir Chakra’ awarded to him reads:-

Havildar (Gunner) K Palani was deployed in Galwan Valley (Eastern Ladakh) as part of Operation SNOW LEOPARD. On the night of 15 June 2020, the individual was part of a patrol of 16 BIHAR tasked to establish an Observation Post. In a close hand to hand fight, he fought valiantly and saved his subordinates from the aggressive action of the enemy soldiers. Suddenly, the adversaries outnumbered and encircled him. With utter disregard to his personal safety, he stood bravely and tried to defend his comrades even when the enemy attacked him with a sharp weapon injuring him seriously. His act of valour inspired other fellow soldiers to fight fiercely and resist enemy aggression. In spite of his grievous injuries, he continued to hold his ground resolutely and in the finest traditions of the Indian Army, laid down his life for the motherland.

In recognition of his act of bravery in face of the enemy, courage, and supreme sacrifice, Havildar K Palani is awarded “VIR CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)”.