Major Suresh Suri KC

Major Suresh Suri hailed from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. He was born into a family with a proud legacy of service to the nation. His father, Shri S V Subba Rao, served in the Indian Air Force, while his mother, Smt. S Girija, nurtured the family with care and values of discipline and responsibility. Being the eldest of three siblings, Suresh naturally assumed the role of a guide and protector for his younger brother Sunil, who later became an IT professional in Pune, and his younger sister Surekha, who went on to become a devoted homemaker. Inspired by his father’s service and driven by his own sense of patriotism, Major Suresh Suri chose to join the Indian Army. He was commissioned in 2001 into the Kumaon Regiment, one of the most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army, known for its gallant soldiers and rich legacy of battle honours.

After completing his initial training and early service with his parent unit, Maj Suresh soon proved his professional competence and leadership qualities. In 2007, he was deputed to serve with the 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), a specialized counter-insurgency unit deployed in Jammu & Kashmir. Serving in such a high-risk environment required immense courage, resilience, and tactical skill, all of which Maj Suresh displayed consistently in the line of duty. In 2008, Maj Suresh married Pallavi, who became his pillar of strength and support. However, due to his deployment in a sensitive field area in Jammu & Kashmir, Pallavi could not initially join him. Despite the physical distance, their bond remained strong, and she continued to support him with patience and understanding, as is the life of many soldier’s families. Maj Suresh Suri embodied the values of duty, courage, and sacrifice throughout his service. His journey from a proud son of an Air Force veteran to a commissioned officer of the Indian Army reflected his determination to uphold the nation’s honour above all else. His life story continues to inspire not only his family but also countless others who learn of his service and dedication

Bandipora Operation : 22 Sep 2009

Major Suresh Suri hailed from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, and was born into a family with a proud legacy of service to the nation. His father, Shri S. V. Subba Rao, served in the Indian Air Force, while his mother, Smt. S. Girija, instilled in her children values of discipline, resilience, and compassion. Maj Suresh was the eldest among three siblings, a role that naturally made him a source of guidance and responsibility within the family. His younger brother, Sunil, went on to become an IT professional in Pune, while his sister, Surekha, chose a life of dedication as a homemaker. Driven by patriotism and inspired by his father’s military background, Maj Suresh chose to dedicate his life to the Armed Forces. In 2001, he was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s most valiant infantry regiments, known for its unmatched courage and gallantry in battle. During his formative years with the regiment, he honed his leadership skills, tactical acumen, and endurance as a soldier. Recognizing his potential, the Army deputed him in 2007 to serve with the 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR)—a specialized counter-insurgency unit operating in Jammu & Kashmir. This assignment placed him at the forefront of high-risk operations where courage, quick decision-making, and absolute devotion to duty were essential.

In 2008, Maj Suresh married Pallavi, who stood by him as a source of strength and emotional support. However, due to his continuous postings in sensitive field areas, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, she could not initially join him. Their marriage reflected the quiet sacrifices that military families make, sharing the burden of separation and uncertainty while supporting the soldier’s call of duty. On 22 September 2009, Maj Suresh’s unit received credible intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in a village in Bandipora district, J&K. Acting on the information, a search and destroy operation was launched under his leadership. As the troops cordoned off the suspected house, Maj Suresh quickly assessed the situation and, without hesitation, led from the front. Along with three soldiers, he entered the house to flush out the militants. On reaching the second floor, he noticed suspicious loose planks on the roof, which suggested the presence of a hideout. Determined to achieve surprise, he climbed up to the roof with another soldier.

Suddenly, they came under heavy fire from terrorists concealed inside. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Maj Suresh displayed remarkable composure and retaliated instantly with his AK-47. In a daring move, he also lobbed a hand grenade into the hideout, killing one terrorist and injuring another. The injured terrorist, however, continued firing indiscriminately from cover, injuring other soldiers of the search team. Maj Suresh, despite his critical wounds, continued to provide covering fire, ensuring that his comrades could be evacuated safely from the kill zone. His selfless actions saved lives but cost him his own. Maj Suresh eventually succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. For his extraordinary courage, leadership, and indomitable spirit, Maj Suresh Suri was posthumously awarded the "Kirti Chakra", India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Citation for the Kirti Chakra awarded to him reads :-

On 22 Sep 2009, Maj Suresh Suri was part of inner cordon around a suspected house. After carrying out quick appreciation of the situation, Major Suresh Suri along with three other ranks entered the house to search for the hideout. On the second floor of house the officer found some suspicious loose planks of wood on the roof where the hideout was expected. The officer scaled the roof with his buddy to achieve surprise. They however came under heavy fire from the terrorists and got seriously injured. The officer despite being injured retaliated with fire from his Rifle AK-47 and also lobbed a hand grenade, killing one terrorist and injuring the other. The second terrorist took cover in the hide out and started firing indiscriminately, causing injuries to other personnel of the search party. The officer ensured the safe evacuation of injured comrades. In the ensuing fire fight the officer was grievously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.