Service No : EC-56650

Place of birth : Kochi Dist (Kerala)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Second Lieutetant

Unit : 70 Med Regt

Arm/Regt : The Regiment of Artillery

Operation : Indo-Pak War-1965

Martyrdom : September 25, 1965

Second Lieutetant U Karunakaran

Second Lieutenant Unniyattil Karunakaran hailed from Kochi in Kerala, where he was born into a family that valued discipline, responsibility, and service. He was the son of Shri Ravi Varma Thampuran and Smt. Meenakshy Amma, and grew up alongside his younger brother, U. Nandakumar. From an early age, 2nd Lt Karunakaran displayed a strong sense of purpose and determination, qualities that would later define his military career. Before wearing the olive green uniform of the Indian Army, he worked at the Madras Port Trust, building a stable civilian career. However, when the nation called upon its young men in the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, he chose to leave behind the security of civilian employment to serve the country. Responding to the national need for capable officers, 2nd Lt Karunakaran joined the Indian Army under the Emergency Commission scheme in 1962. The Emergency Commission was introduced to rapidly strengthen the officer cadre during a critical period in India's military history, and it attracted many patriotic young Indians who willingly stepped forward to lead soldiers in challenging times. His decision reflected not only courage but also an unwavering commitment to place national duty above personal comfort.

 

Following his training, 2nd Lt U Karunakaran was commissioned into the 70 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, one of the Indian Army's premier combat support arms renowned for delivering decisive firepower on the battlefield. The Regiment of Artillery has long been regarded as the "God of War" for its ability to shape the course of battles through accurate and overwhelming fire support. It comprises various specialized formations, including Medium Regiments, Light Regiments, Rocket Regiments, Missile Regiments, and Surveillance & Target Acquisition (SATA) Regiments, each equipped with weapons and systems suited to different operational requirements. As an officer of the 70 Medium Regiment, Karunakaran embraced the demanding responsibility of leading artillery troops, coordinating fire support, and maintaining the high professional standards for which the regiment is known. During the early years of his service, he was posted to Jammu and Kashmir, where he served for nearly two years under difficult operational conditions. The challenging terrain, harsh climate, and constant military preparedness demanded exceptional resilience from young officers. Karunakaran adapted quickly to these demanding circumstances, earning the confidence of his comrades through his professionalism and steadfast dedication to duty.

 

His commitment to soldiering was further demonstrated during military training when he suffered a fractured collarbone while undertaking a parachute jump. The injury was serious enough for him to be declared medically unfit for full operational duties and placed on the Army's "B" medical category, a classification that restricted active field deployment. For many officers, such an injury could have marked the end of a frontline career. However, 2nd Lt Karunakaran refused to let physical adversity define his service. Driven by his deep sense of responsibility towards his men and his regiment, he chose to recover, overcome his limitations, and return to active service. His determination to rejoin operational duty reflected the very qualities expected of an artillery officer—courage under adversity, perseverance in the face of hardship, and an unshakable commitment to the mission. Rather than accepting a safer path, 2nd Lt U Karunakaran reaffirmed his resolve to continue serving wherever the nation required him, embodying the finest traditions of the Regiment of Artillery and setting the stage for the supreme sacrifice he would later make in the service of India.

 

Indo-Pak War (Western Sector): Sep 1965

 

During September 1965, 2nd Lt U. Karunakaran was serving with 70 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery when the Indo-Pak War entered one of its most decisive phases. Following Pakistan's offensive in the Chhamb-Akhnoor sector, India launched Operation Riddle, a major counter-offensive in the Lahore sector under XI Corps. The objective was not merely to threaten Lahore itself, but to compel Pakistan to divert forces from the Chhamb front, seize tactically important ground up to the Ichhogil (BRB) Canal, and alter the course of the war in India's favour. As Indian troops crossed the International Border on the night of 5–6 September 1965, 70 Medium Regiment formed part of the corps-level artillery supporting the advancing formations of 15 Infantry Division towards Dograi and Batapur, 7 Infantry Division towards Burki, and 4 Mountain Division towards Kasur. Equipped with medium howitzers capable of delivering accurate long-range fire, the regiment played a vital role in engaging Pakistani artillery batteries, troop concentrations, fortified defensive positions, road junctions, and bridges around the Ichhogil Canal. These sustained bombardments disrupted enemy reinforcements, weakened defensive positions, and provided indispensable fire support that enabled the infantry to press forward under extremely challenging combat conditions.

 

Throughout the fierce fighting around Dograi, Burki, and the Ichhogil Canal, artillery duels became a defining feature of the campaign. Pakistani forces repeatedly attempted to halt the Indian advance with heavy artillery and armour, while Indian medium regiments maintained relentless counter-battery fire and supported successive assaults on strongly defended positions. As a young artillery officer, 2nd Lt U. Karunakaran shared these demanding responsibilities, helping coordinate fire missions and ensuring continuous artillery support to the advancing troops in one of the war's most intense operational theatres. As a young officer of the Regiment of Artillery, 2nd Lt U Karunakaran worked in proximity to the combat zone, where observation, reconnaissance, and fire control required both technical skill and exceptional courage. He continued to perform his duties despite constant exposure to enemy shelling, minefields, and the hazards of operating in forward areas. His composure under pressure and unwavering commitment to his mission earned him the respect of those who served alongside him. During the Lahore operations, 2nd Lt Karunakaran displayed remarkable bravery, reportedly eliminating eight Pakistani soldiers and contributing to the capture of two enemy artillery batteries during the fighting. These recollections reflect the fearless spirit with which he carried out his responsibilities in the midst of intense combat. Even after active fighting began to subside and the ceasefire approached, operational responsibilities continued. Around the time of the ceasefire, 2nd Lt Karunakaran was assigned a reconnaissance mission—a vital task that required officers to assess routes, positions, and ground conditions before the movement of troops and equipment. While travelling in a military jeep through an operational area, the vehicle struck a landmine, triggering a powerful explosion that inflicted grievous injuries upon him.

 

He was immediately evacuated to the Military Hospital at Jullundur (Jalandhar), where every effort was made to save his life. Despite the best medical care available, the young officer succumbed to his injuries on 25 September 1965, at just 28 years of age, only days after the war had effectively fallen silent. 2nd Lt U Karunakaran made the supreme sacrifice while carrying out his duty in an operational area, embodying the highest ideals of courage, leadership, and selfless service. 

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