Naik M Mani VrC

Naik M Mani hailed from Periyakulam village in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Shri Maharaja Nudaliyar. After completing his school education, he joined the Indian Army and was recruited into the 18 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment—one of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army. Renowned for its fearless soldiers, strict discipline, and an illustrious legacy of valour, the Madras Regiment offered him both honour and responsibility, which he embraced with dedication and pride.During the 1971 Indo–Pak War, 18 Madras was deployed in the Nayachor–Umarkot sector on the western front, an area of considerable strategic importance. The region was characterised by inhospitable terrain, extreme climatic conditions, and a constant threat from enemy forces, making military operations particularly demanding. Despite these challenges, the battalion played a vital role in containing and repelling Pakistani offensives, thereby preventing any major enemy breakthrough and contributing significantly to the stabilisation of the sector.

As a committed and dependable member of this battle-hardened unit, Naik M Mani discharged his duties with professionalism, courage, and quiet determination. Throughout his military career, he served in various operational areas and participated in several important missions, consistently upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Indo-Pak War: 16-17 Dec 1971

In 1971, Naik M Mani’s unit, 18 Madras, was deployed in the southern Rajasthan sector during a period of grave national crisis. India was compelled to go to war with Pakistan following the large-scale atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army in its eastern wing, which led to an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. The magnitude of this humanitarian crisis made armed conflict unavoidable. Consequently, India found itself engaged in a two-front war—on the eastern front, which ultimately resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh, and on the western and northern fronts to counter Pakistani military offensives. On the western front, the Rajasthan sector assumed significant strategic importance. Indian forces in this region included the 11 Infantry Division and the 12 Infantry Division, while the opposing Pakistani forces comprised the 18 Infantry Division, reinforced by additional brigades and paramilitary elements. Indian operational plans envisaged a bold double thrust: the 12 Infantry Division advancing along the Longewala–Rahim Yar Khan axis, and the 11 Infantry Division along the Barmer–Naya Chor axis. However, these plans were disrupted when Pakistan launched a major armoured assault on Longewala on the night of 3 December 1971. This attack was decisively repulsed by determined Indian ground forces, supported by effective air strikes from the Indian Air Force, resulting in heavy Pakistani losses and a decisive shift in momentum in India’s favour.

Amid the escalating operations of the Indo-Pak War of 1971, 18 Madras, under the operational control of 11 Infantry Division, launched offensive operations in the Rajasthan sector on 4 December 1971. The battalion rapidly overran a series of Pakistani border posts and, maintaining relentless momentum, advanced nearly 45 kilometres into enemy territory. By 11 December, it had established contact with the well-defended Naya Chor positions. Continuing its arduous advance across harsh desert terrain under constant threat of enemy fire, the battalion reached Hingora Tar by 16 December 1971, just two kilometres short of Umarkot. At this critical stage, Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar, serving as the battalion’s Mortar Officer, played a crucial role in providing effective fire support and sustaining the battalion’s combat capability. Nk Mani, serving as a Section Commander in the battalion, was actively involved in these operations. On 16 December 1971, the battalion’s positions came under intense enemy shelling. Demonstrating exceptional courage and leadership, he moved from trench to trench, unmindful of his personal safety, encouraging his men and ensuring that defensive preparations, including the strengthening of trenches, were completed efficiently. In the early hours of 17 December 1971, the enemy launched a major counterattack, supported by heavy artillery and medium machine gun fire. During this assault, the Light Machine Gun (LMG) post of Nk Mani’s section was hit and rendered inoperative. Reacting instantly, he rushed forward, took over the LMG, and brought accurate and effective fire to bear on the advancing enemy. Despite being grievously wounded in the course of the action, Nk Mani continued to operate the weapon with unwavering determination, holding his ground and engaging the enemy until he was completely incapacitated. He later succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. His steadfastness and bravery under fire exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The operations in this sector came at a heavy cost to 18 Madras. Alongside Naik M Mani and Captain SS Walkar, 21 other brave soldiers of 18 Madras made the supreme sacrifice during these operations, including Sub AP Sreedhara Dass, Nb Sub NN Krishnan, Hav A P Ponnappan, L Nk SA Narayan, L Nk Panoly Govi, Sep M Muthaiah, Sep Amir Miyan, Sep GV Pillai, Sep Rajan, Sep NCM Appachu, Sep Sampathu, Sep RG Krishna Kurup, Sep Gajendran, Sep Shaik Mahaboob, Sep MA Kasinathan, Sep Arasan Raju, Sep Basav Rajappa, Sep J Ganesan, Sep C Kandasamy, Sep Revan Siddappa and Sep V Somasekharan. In recognition of his exceptional courage, fearless leadership in the face of the enemy, unwavering devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice, Naik M Mani was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra".

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

Naik Mani was a section commander in a Battalion of the Madras Regiment. deployed in an area in the Rajasthan Sector. On the 16th December, 1971, the enemy subjected the Battalion position to heavy shelling. Unmindful of his, safety, Nk Mani moved from trench to trench to ensure that the digging was completed. Early on the 17th December 1971, the enemy mounted a massive attack supported by heavy artillery and medium machine gun fire. The Light Machine Gun Post of his section was hit and put out of action. He immediately took over the Light Machine Gun and manned it till he was totally wounded.

In this action Naik Mani displayed gallantry and determination of a high order.