Service No : 2562721F

Place of birth : Dindigul Dist (TN)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Sepoy

Unit : 18 Madras

Arm/Regt : The Madras Regiment

Operation : Indo-Pak War 1971

Martyrdom : December 17, 1971

Sepoy Arasan Raju

Sepoy Arasan Raju hailed from Ramanathapuram village in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu—a region steeped in cultural heritage and known for its long-standing tradition of service in the armed forces. From an early age, he imbibed values of discipline, resilience, and patriotism. After completing his school education, he chose the path of national service and enlisted in the Indian Army, where he was recruited into the 18 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment—one of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment, celebrated for its rich legacy of valour, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty, played a pivotal role in shaping his character and instilling in him a profound sense of pride and responsibility. During the Indo–Pak War of 1971, Sepoy Arasan Raju’s unit was deployed in the strategically vital Nayachor–Umarkot sector on the western front. This theatre of operations presented severe challenges: vast expanses of arid desert, extreme temperatures, logistical constraints, and the ever-present threat of enemy engagement. Despite these harsh conditions, 18 Madras displayed exceptional endurance and combat effectiveness. The battalion undertook aggressive patrolling, secured key positions, and played a crucial role in blunting Pakistani offensives in the sector. Their determined actions ensured that the enemy was denied any significant breakthrough, thereby contributing to the overall stability and success of operations in the region.

 

Within this demanding operational environment, Sepoy Arasan Raju distinguished himself as a disciplined and dependable soldier. He carried out his duties with quiet courage, diligence, and an unshakeable sense of duty. Known among his comrades for his sincerity and steadfast nature, he consistently performed his responsibilities with composure, even under intense pressure. His ability to adapt to challenging conditions and maintain operational effectiveness reflected both his personal resolve and the high standards of training imparted by his regiment. Over the course of his service, he was entrusted with a variety of operational responsibilities across different assignments, each of which he executed with professionalism and commitment. His conduct exemplified the core values of the Indian Army—duty, honour, and selfless service. Sepoy Arasan Raju’s journey stands as a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of the countless soldiers who serve the nation with unwavering loyalty, often in the most demanding and unforgiving environments.

 

Indo-Pak War: 16-17 Dec 1971

 

In 1971, Sepoy Arasan Raju’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 sheer 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 culminated 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 considerable 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, supported 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 resolutely repulsed by determined Indian ground forces, ably supported by effective air strikes from the Indian Air Force, resulting in heavy losses to the enemy and shifting the momentum decisively in India’s favour.

 

Amid these developments, 18 Madras, operating under the 11 Infantry Division, launched offensive operations on 4 December 1971. The battalion rapidly overran Pakistani border posts and advanced nearly 45 kilometres into enemy territory, establishing contact with the Naya Chor defences by 11 December. Maintaining relentless pressure under extremely harsh desert conditions, the battalion continued its advance and, by 16 December 1971, after a gruelling advance of over 40 miles across harsh desert terrain under constant threat of enemy fire, the battalion reached Hingora Tar, just two kilometres short of Umarkot. At this critical juncture, Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar, serving as the battalion’s Mortar Officer, played a vital role in sustaining the unit’s combat effectiveness.. Sepoy Arasan Raju was an integral part of this advance, sharing in the hardships of continuous operations across inhospitable terrain under constant threat of enemy engagement. At Hingora Tar, as the battalion consolidated its forward positions on 16 December 1971, it came under intense and sustained enemy shelling. Despite the heavy bombardment and grave danger, Sepoy Arasan Raju displayed exemplary courage, composure, and devotion to duty. He continued to carry out his assigned responsibilities with determination and steadfastness, embodying the finest traditions of the Indian Army. During the course of this fierce engagement, Sepoy Arasan Raju sustained grievous injuries. In spite of all efforts to save him, he succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. His actions under fire reflected not only personal bravery but also an unwavering commitment to his comrades and mission. The operations in this sector came at a heavy cost to 18 Madras. Alongside Captain SS Walkar and Sep Arasan Raju, 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, Nk M Mani, 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 Basav Rajappa, Sep J Ganesan, Sep C Kandasamy, Sep Revan Siddappa and Sep V Somasekharan.  Sepoy Arasan Raju’s sacrifice stands as a lasting testament to the courage, dedication, and selfless service of the soldiers of the Madras Regiment. 

 

Sepoy Arasan Raju is survived by his wife Smt Ammaravathi.

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