Colonel KP Sasikumar VrC

Colonel Keshava-Pillai Paramesvaran Pillai Sasikumar hailed from Cochin in Kerala and was born on 01st May 1947. After completing his education, he joined the army and was commissioned into the 7/8 GR battalion of 8 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, an infantry regiment known for its fearless soldiers. After being commissioned as a 2nd Lt, he got posted to his unit and soon learnt the requited field craft skills.

 

He served in various operational areas and took part in a number of operations. By the year 1990, he had been promoted to the rank of Colonel and had taken over as the Commanding Officer of 7/8 GR battalion.  in the year 1988-89, his unit was tasked to move to Sri Lanka as part of IPKF operation to contain the volatile situation there. 

 

 

During Jan 1990, Col KP Sasikumar's uint 7/8 GR was deployed in Sri Lanka and was functioning under the operational control of 167 Inf Bde. By that time, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. On 21 Jan 1990, Brigadier AK Sanyal 'Commander' of 167 Infantry Brigade instructed the unit of 7/8 Gorkha Rifles to provide a Company for operation in the area of HQ 2 Madras in Sri Lanka. This was necessitated as a large number of militants had been contacted and heavy exchange of fire was in progress in that area. Col Sasikumar, along with Charlie Company 7/8 Gorkha Rifles moved to the area of operation to relieve pressure on the Indian troops and clear the militants who had taken up position in a number of houses in the locality. As Col Sasikumar and his troops reached the area, the leading elements of Charlie Company of 7/8 Gorkha Rifles drew heavy fire all along their front from the immediate line of houses 10 to 20 metres ahead resulting in the death of two soldiers.  As a result, further progress was stalled and something had to be done to tide over the challenge.  

 

Colonel KP Sasikumar was awarded "Vir Chakra" posthumously for his exceptional gallantry, fighting spirit  and supreme sacrifice. 

 

On 21 January 1990, Colonel Keshava-Pillai Paramesvaran Pillai Sasikumar Commanding Officer 7/8 Gorkha Rifles was instructed by Brigadier A.K. Sanyal, Commander, 167 Infantry Brigade, to provide a Company for operation in the area of HQ 2 Madras in Sri Lanka, around which a large number of militants had been contacted and heavy exchange of fire was in progress. Colonel Sasikumar, along with Charlie Company 7/8 Gorkha Rifles moved to the area of operation to relieve pressure on the Indian troops and clear the militants who had taken up position in a number of houses in the locality. Leading elements of Charlie Company 7/8 Gorkha Rifles drew heavy fire all along their front from the immediate line of houses 10 to 20 metres ahead resulting in the death of two Other Ranks. Further progress was thus stalled.

 

At this stage, Colonel Sasikumar moved ahead and inching his way forward with his group reached the close vicinity of the house from where militants were bringing down the heaviest fire on troops and thus holding up their forward move. Colonel Sasikumar, with a handful of men accompanying him, rushed toward the militants’ position and was about to gain entry to the house when he was hit fatally by a burst of automatic fire. The courageous action of their Commanding Officer so inspired the troops of Charlie Company 718 Gorkha Rifles that they immediately attacked the militants position forcing them to flee.

 

Colonel Sasikumar, displayed conspicuous gallantry and valour in the face of the militants and died in action.