Service No : 2559667N

Place of birth : Alappuzha, Kerala

Service : Army

Last Rank : Sepoy

Unit : 18 Madras

Arm/Regt : The Madras Regiment

Operation : Indo-Pak War 1971

Martyrdom : December 17, 1971

Sepoy RG Krishna Kurup

Sepoy R.G. Krishna Kurup hailed from Thiruvalla village in the Alleppey (present-day Alappuzha) district of Kerala—a region renowned for its rich cultural heritage and a proud tradition of service in the armed forces. After completing his school education, he chose to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. 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. Known for its fearless soldiers, strict discipline, and illustrious record of valour, the regiment instilled in him a deep sense of pride, responsibility, and commitment to uphold its esteemed traditions. During the 1971 Indo–Pak War, Sepoy Krishna Kurup’s unit, 18 Madras, was deployed in the strategically important Nayachor–Umarkot sector on the western front. The region presented formidable operational challenges, including vast stretches of inhospitable desert terrain, extreme climatic conditions, and the constant threat of enemy action. Despite these difficulties, the battalion operated with remarkable determination and resilience. It played a crucial role in containing and repelling Pakistani offensives, thereby preventing any major enemy breakthrough and contributing significantly to the stabilisation of the sector.
 

A dedicated and disciplined soldier, Sepoy Krishna Kurup carried out his duties with professionalism, quiet courage, and unwavering resolve. He was widely regarded for his sincerity, dependability, and ability to remain composed under pressure in demanding operational environments. Throughout his service, he was deployed in multiple operational areas and participated in several important assignments, consistently exemplifying the core values and ethos of the Indian Army.

 

Indo-Pak War: 16-17 Dec 1971

 

In 1971, Sepoy R.G. Krishna Kurup’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 in its eastern wing, which led to an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. The 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, effectively supported by the Indian Air Force, resulting in heavy enemy losses 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 swiftly overran Pakistani border posts and, maintaining relentless momentum, advanced nearly 45 kilometres into enemy territory, establishing contact with the Naya Chor defences by 11 December. Despite the inhospitable desert terrain, extreme climatic conditions, and the constant threat of enemy action, the battalion pressed forward with determination and discipline, sustaining the tempo of its advance under demanding conditions. Sepoy R.G. Krishna Kurup was an integral part of this forward thrust, sharing fully in the hardships and dangers of continuous combat operations. His steadfastness and commitment contributed to the battalion’s ability to maintain its operational momentum deep inside enemy territory. By 16 December 1971, after a gruelling advance of over 40 miles across harsh desert terrain, the battalion reached Hingora Tar, just two kilometres short of Umarkot. At this critical stage, Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar, serving as the battalion’s Mortar Officer, played a crucial role in sustaining combat effectiveness through accurate and timely fire support. As the battalion consolidated its hard-won positions at Hingora Tar, it came under intense and sustained enemy shelling. In the face of heavy bombardment, Sepoy Krishna Kurup displayed exceptional courage, composure, and devotion to duty. Remaining resolute under fire, he continued to carry out his responsibilities with unwavering determination, upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army. During this fierce engagement, he sustained grievous injuries and, despite all efforts to save him, succumbed to his wounds on 16 December 1971, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The operations in this sector came at a heavy cost to 18 Madras, reflecting both the intensity of the fighting and the extraordinary bravery of its soldiers. Alongside Captain S.S. Walkar and Sep R.G. Krishna Kurup, 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 Gajendran, Sep Shaik Mahaboob, Sep MA Kasinathan, Sep Arasan Raju, Sep Basav Rajappa, Sep J Ganesan, Sep C Kandasamy, Sep Revan Siddappa and Sep V Somasekharan  Their collective sacrifice stands as a testament to the courage, unity, and indomitable spirit of 18 Madras, and Sepoy Krishna Kurup’s bravery remains an enduring example of selfless service to the nation.

 

Sep R.G. Krishna Kurup is survived by his wife Smt PK Ponnamma.

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