Service No : IC-28664
Date of Birth : December 16, 1943
Place of birth : Jodhpur, (Raj)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 554 ASC Bn
Arm/Regt : Army Service Corps
Operation : Op Pawan
Martyrdom : March 24, 1989
Major Suresh Harsha hailed from Jodhpur in Rajasthan and was born on 16 Dec 1943. Son of Shri Suraj Krishan Harsha, he completed his schooling from Gandhi School, Jodhpur. He was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his younger days and continued to follow his passion while growing up. Eventually, he got selected to join the Army after completing his college and went to OTA Chennai for his training. He was commissioned in June 1968 into the the Army Service Corps, the logistic supply arm of Indian Army.
After putting in few years of service he got married to Ms Sarita Bhalla, daughter of an Army officer Col JC Bhalla on 15 Feb 1976. Subsequently, the couple were blessed with a son Sameer and daughter Shilpa. By 1989, he had put in around two decades of service and had served in varous operational areas.
Op Pawan: 24 Mar 1989
During 1989, Maj Harsha was serving with the unit based at Secunderabad. But soon the unit was tasked to move to Sri Lanka as part of IPKF operation to contain the volatile situation there. After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed a war on Indian forces. Initially, only 54 division of the Army was inducted but the escalation of the operations brought three more divisions 3, 4 and 57 into the conflict. By 1989, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. Maj Harsha’s unit was moved to Trincomalee in Sri Lanka to provide critical support to various operations against the LTTE.
Maj Harsha and his troops had to move frequently to support the ongoing operations in their area of responsibility. While on move, they had to maintain a very strict vigil at all times as their routes were prone to IED blasts and surprise attacks by the LTTE militants. On 24 Mar 1989, Maj Harsha along with Maj Uttam Chand Katoch was part of a recce mission on the outskirts when they came under attack by an IED blast. The IED was tied to an abandoned bicycle held against a tree and as soon as the patrol party approached the area it detonated. Maj Harsha fell off the Jeep and got hit by mine splinters across the right of his ribs. Without caring for his safety, Maj Harsha immediately swung into action along with his soldiers and managed to eliminate the militants. He was later evacuated to the base hospital for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Suresh Harsha was a valiant soldier and committed officer, who laid down his life in the line of his duty, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
Maj Suresh Harsha is survived by his wife Smt Sarita Suresh Harsha, son Sameer Suresh Harsha and daughter Shilpa Harsha.
Sanjay Purohit
2022 at 10:54 pmRespected sir
Shri Suresh Harsha popularly known as Mannu sab in his circle , was a brave on the front and gentleman too . In my childhood mamory ,he is hero and we always try to become like him . He set an example of bravery and his his stories of braveness are setting an example for new generations.
Salute to him .
Major Sanjay Mehrotra
2022 at 10:55 pmMaj Harsha a true soldier.
I was commissioned on 11th March 1989 and he came all the way from Srilanka to OTA chennai to welcome me for getting my first posting in the same battalion ie. 554 ASC Bn.
On 24th March 89 he along with Maj Katoch & few Jawan’s lost their lives fighting with LTTE when trapped in IED.
I clearly remember his motivational interaction on my commission day.
We miss you.
Major Sanjay Mehrotra (Retd.)
9599962165
Navin Harsha
2022 at 10:55 pmI m grandson of Shaheed Major Suresh Harsha and I really feel proud and honoured to be a part of the family in which this brave son of Mother India was born. I was just eight years old when this shocking news was conveyed to my real grandfather Late Lt Col P N Harsha who was also a retired Army official. I do still remember the love and affection I got from Mannu Sahab (Maj Suresh Harsha). He use to visit Jalandhar where Lt Col P N Harsha was last posted before getting retired. I have heard many stories about the bravery and courage about Mannu Sahab……Shat Shat Naman to the great legend……We miss u Mannu Sahab…Hats off to the brave son of Mother land Maj Suresh Harsha….U will always shine like the Sun in the Universe….I still have the newspaper cutting of the newspaper of 24 March 1989.
Navin Harsha
2022 at 10:56 pmI m grandson of Shaheed Major Suresh Harsha and I really feel proud and honoured to be a part of the family in which this brave son of Mother India was born. I was just eight years old when this shocking news was conveyed to my real grandfather Late Lt Col P N Harsha who was also a retired Army official. I do still remember the love and affection I got from Mannu Sahab (Maj Suresh Harsha). He use to visit Jalandhar where Lt Col P N Harsha was last posted before getting retired. I have heard many stories about the bravery and courage about Mannu Sahab……Shat Shat Naman to the great legend……We miss u Mannu Sahab…Hats off to the brave son of Mother land Maj Suresh Harsha….U will always shine like the Sun in the Universe….I still have the newspaper cutting of the newspaper of 24 March 1989.
Thanks and Regards
Navin Harsha
Jodhpur
9828122203
6376736684