Lieutenant Natarajan Parthiban served with the 5 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and was deployed in the Gurez Sector of Jammu and Kashmir in 2006.
On 7 October 2006, while serving as a post commander in the Gurez Sector, Lieutenant Parthiban received information that heavily armed terrorists were hiding in a nearby forest while attempting to cross the Line of Control.
He immediately moved with his team to the suspected area and cordoned it off. He tasked his men with providing covering fire while he and his buddy moved closer to the terrorists.
As they approached the suspected hideout, two terrorists suddenly emerged from behind boulders and opened fire. Lieutenant Parthiban sustained severe bullet injuries.
Despite being grievously wounded, Lieutenant Parthiban charged towards the terrorists and engaged them in close combat. He neutralised both terrorists before succumbing to his injuries. A quantity of arms and ammunition was subsequently recovered from the slain terrorists.
For displaying conspicuous bravery, grit and devotion to duty in the face of hostile fire, Lieutenant Natarajan Parthiban was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra.
Lieutenant Natarajan Parthiban made the supreme sacrifice on 7 October 2006 in the Gurez Sector while leading his men against heavily armed terrorists.
