Service No : 2549519P

Place of birth : Tirunelveli (TN)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Naik

Unit : 4 Para (SF)

Arm/Regt : The Parachute Regiment

Martyrdom : December 28, 1971

Naik Sangili Chellaiah

Naik S Chellaiah hailed from Marudur Village in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. After his preliminary education, he joined the Army and was recruited into the  Parachute Regiment of the Indian army. Later on, he joined 4 Para (Special Forces), the elite unit of Indian Army raised in 1961.

 

Battle of Nagi: 27/28 Dec 1971

 

Indo-Pak war of 1971 ended on 16 Dec 1971 with a decisive victory for Indian forces on the eastern front. Despite the cease-fire, Pakistani forces took a provocative step of occupying a Sand Dune in Nagi village located in Sri Karanpur tehsil in Sri Ganga Nagar district of Rajasthan. The enemy forces had occupied the Indian territory probably with an intention to embarrass the Indian Army and avenge to a small degree the humiliation they had suffered in the war. 4 Para (SF) under the commando of 51 (Independent) Para brigade of the Indian Army was tasked to evict the enemy forces and regain control of the area. It was decided to launch the attack with the elements of 4 Para, 9 Para field regiment and 410 field company on 27 Dec 1971. Nk S Chellaiah was part of 4 Para troops tasked to undertake the attack.

 

As planned the attack was launched at 0400 hours on the dark, moonless night of 27/28 December by “C” Company of 4 Para under command of the Company Commander, Major VK Berry. The enemy forces had fortified the area and it was dominated by heavy machine guns and mines. As the troops of “C” Company approached the Sand Dune, they faced heavy and devastatingly accurate Artillery fire from the Pakistan side. It was a very determined and aggressive attack by the enemy forces but the soldiers of 4 Para displayed exceptional courage and stood their ground. At the same time, 9 Para Field Regiment gave a befitting reply to the artillery barrage while 410 Field Company of the Corps of Engineers worked in tandem with the 4 Para troops to clear the minefield and obstacles laid by the enemy forces.

 

The troops of 4 Para continued their advance and finally succeeded in reclaiming the Nagi Sand Dune by 6 am on 28 Dec 1971. However, during the fierce battle, 21 soldiers laid down their lives. Nk S Chellaiah was one of the 21 soldiers martyred during the operation. Nk S Chellaiah was a valiant and dedicated soldier who laid down his life in the service of the nation.

 

Nk S Chellaiah is survived by his wife Smt Chandramathi.

  • If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
No Comments

Post a Comment