On 4 November 1987, Havildar P. K. Kamalasanan of 12 Madras made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, displaying exceptional courage while leading his men in an encounter with LTTE personnel near Meesalai in Jaffna.
Born on 8 December 1959 in Naranganam village of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, Kamalasanan was the son of Shri K. Narayanan and Smt. Kuttiyamma. He joined the Indian Army on 4 November 1979 and was recruited into 12 Madras of the Madras Regiment.
In 1987, his unit was deployed to Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), which had been tasked with carrying out operations against the LTTE. Operation Pawan began on 9 October 1987, with Indian troops undertaking operations across the Jaffna region.
On 4 November, Havildar Kamalasanan was serving as the platoon Havildar of No. 2 Platoon, which was assigned a search operation along the Chavakachcheri–Savasalai–Meesalai road.
At approximately 12:35 pm, as the platoon approached a road junction near Meesalai, LTTE personnel concealed inside houses east of the road opened a coordinated burst of fire. One section of the platoon was pinned down under heavy enemy fire.
Havildar Kamalasanan quickly identified two attackers whose firing was particularly effective against his men. Realising that their positions had to be neutralised to save his comrades, he decided to take the initiative.
Disregarding his personal safety, he rose and charged towards the attackers while firing his rifle. His sudden and determined assault caught them off guard, forcing them to abandon their positions. His action gave the pinned-down soldiers valuable time to regroup and resume their response.
During the exchange of fire, Havildar Kamalasanan was struck by two bullets in the abdomen. He succumbed to his injuries at the spot, having made the supreme sacrifice while protecting his comrades.
For his conspicuous gallantry, courage and disregard for personal safety in the face of the enemy, Havildar P. K. Kamalasanan was awarded the Vir Chakra. His official gallantry citation records how his decisive action disrupted the attackers and enabled his platoon to regroup.
His conduct remains an example of leadership and courage at the moment when his fellow soldiers needed it most. He stood his ground under fire and placed the safety of his men before his own.
On his Balidan Diwas, The Honour Post pays tribute to Havildar P. K. Kamalasanan, Vir Chakra, of 12 Madras, who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan on 4 November 1987.
