Paratrooper Krishnappa G

Ptr Krishnappa G hailed from Galigenahalli village of Tumkur district in Karnataka and was born on 10th Jul 1965. After completing his graduation at Tumkur, Ptr Krishnappa joined the army at the age of 20 years on 15 Apr 1986. He was recruited into the Parachute Regiment, a regiment known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous daredevil operations. Later he volunteered to join 1 Para(SF) battalion, the oldest unit of the Parachute Regiment and known as 'Red Devils. The unit raised in 1761 and converted into Special Forces battalion in 1978, specialized in urban warfare and tactical needs.

After completing his training, Ptr Krishnappa served with his parent unit from 15 Oct 1986 to 29 Oct 1987. During this period he participated in numerous operations and proved his mettle as a professionally competent soldier. Later Ptr Krishnappa was sent to Sri Lanka and joined the IPKF operations on 30th Oct 1987.

Op Pawan : Jul 1988

During July 1988, Ptr Krishnappa’s unit 1 Para (SF) was operating in Sri-Lanka as part of IPKF. After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed 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. Since the induction of 1 Para (SF), the unit undertook a number of daring operations and Ptr Krishnappa was part of many such operations. One such heli-borne operation was planned in Jul 1988 over the coastal swamps around Mullaittvu. Ptr Krishnappa was made part of the team that was tasked with this heli-borne operation.

The heli-borne air assault commenced as planned and  Ptr Krishnappa  was dropped in the planned zone. However, while landing Ptr Krishnappa was fired upon by the terrorists hiding in the area. A fierce gun battle followed thereafter and during the exchange of fire Ptr Krishnappa received multiple gunshots. Ptr Krishnappa was immediately shifted to the near by medical facility and later on moved to the military hospital in Delhi. Ptr Krishnappa had received a total of 21 bullets and showed tremendous courage and resolve during his medical treatment. He was later shifted to CMC hospital Madras but eventually succumbed to his injuries on 7th Aug 1988 and was martyred.

Ptr Krishnappa was a dedicated and determined soldier, who made the supreme sacrifice at the age of 23 years in the line of his duty. He is survived by his mother Smt Mariyamma and sister Smt Narasamma.