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Major Dinesh Raghu Raman was born on 6 April 1978 to Shri S. K. Murthy and Smt. Mala. He was educated at Kendriya Vidyalaya, INA Colony, New Delhi, and joined the National Defence Academy in 1996. After completing his training, he was commissioned into the 19 Battalion of the Jat Regiment.
During his military career, Major Raman served in various appointments and was awarded a Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for his service in Drass during Operation Parakram. He was posted to 34 Rashtriya Rifles, a Jat Regiment battalion, on 22 February 2006 and was given command of C Company at Aripanthan.
In June 2007, Major Raman led a successful operation in his area of responsibility, known as Operation Narawar, during which three hardcore terrorists were eliminated.
On 2 October 2007, Major Raman deployed his company in a village in Baramulla district after an encounter with terrorists had commenced. At about 8:55 am, while his troops were closing in on suspected houses, he heard the cries of a fellow officer who had been seriously injured.
Under heavy hostile fire, Major Raman crawled towards the injured officer and rescued him along with two other wounded soldiers, moving them to safety. He then engaged two terrorists responsible for the casualties in close-quarter combat and shot both of them.
As other terrorists opened fire from another house, Major Raman was seriously wounded. Despite his injuries, he continued to lead and motivate his troops and kept the terrorists pinned down until he fell unconscious.
Major Dinesh Raghu Raman later succumbed to his injuries. For his conspicuous bravery, exceptional camaraderie and leadership during the operation, he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.
