Service No : 2567463W

Place of birth : Chennai 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 C Kandasamy

Sepoy C. Kandasamy, son of Shri and Smt Ponnammal, was a native of Chennai district in Tamil Nadu—a region well known for its rich cultural legacy and a strong tradition of service in the armed forces. After completing his schooling, he chose to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army, dedicating himself to a life of discipline and duty. He was inducted into the 18 Madras Battalion of the Madras Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments. Renowned for its gallant soldiers, strict discipline, and a proud record of valour, the regiment instilled in him a deep sense of pride, responsibility, and commitment to uphold its esteemed traditions. During the Indo–Pak War of 1971, his unit, 18 Madras, was deployed in the strategically significant Nayachor–Umarkot sector on the western front. The area posed formidable operational challenges, including vast stretches of harsh desert terrain, extreme climatic conditions, and the constant threat of enemy action. Despite these difficulties, the battalion functioned with remarkable determination and cohesion. It played a vital role in containing and repelling Pakistani offensives, ensuring that no major enemy breakthrough occurred and thereby contributing to the overall stability of the sector.

 

As a disciplined and dedicated soldier, Sepoy Kandasamy carried out his duties with professionalism, quiet courage, and unwavering resolve. He earned the respect of his peers for his sincerity, dependability, and ability to remain composed under pressure in demanding situations. Throughout his service, he was deployed in various operational areas and took part in several important missions, consistently reflecting the core values of the Indian Army—duty, honour, and selfless service.

 
Indo-Pak War: 16-17 Dec 1971
 

In 1971, Sepoy C. Kandasamy’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 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 11 Infantry Division, commenced offensive operations on 4 December 1971. The battalion swiftly overran Pakistani border outposts and, maintaining its momentum, advanced deep into enemy territory. Covering nearly 45 kilometres, it established contact with the Naya Chor defences by 11 December. By 16 December 1971, after a demanding advance of over 40 miles across inhospitable desert terrain under constant threat of enemy action, the battalion reached Hingora Tar, halting just two kilometres short of Umarkot. Sepoy C. Kandasamy was an integral part of this forward thrust, sharing in the hardships and risks of sustained combat operations in the desert theatre. At this critical stage, Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar, the battalion’s Mortar Officer, played a key role in supporting the advance by providing effective and timely firepower. On 16 December 1971, while the battalion was consolidating its positions at Hingora Tar, it came under intense and prolonged enemy shelling. Despite the heavy bombardment, Sepoy Kandasamy exhibited exceptional courage, calmness, and unwavering commitment to duty, steadfastly performing his responsibilities despite the extremely hazardous conditions. During the course of the intense engagement, he sustained severe injuries. In spite of all possible efforts to save him, he eventually succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The operations in this sector came at a heavy cost to 18 Madras. Alongside Captain S.S. Walkar and Sepoy C. Kandasamy, 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 Arasan Raju, Sep Basav Rajappa, Sep J Ganesan, Sep Revan Siddappa and Sep V Somasekharan.

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