Dinesh Raghu Raman

Major Dinesh Raghu Raman, AC was an Indian military officer with the 19th Battalion of the Jat Regiment who was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime military decoration Ashoka Chakra.

Early life Major Dinesh Raghu Raman was born on 6 April 1978. His father was Honorary Captain SK Murthy and his mother was Mala. He completed his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, INA Colony, New Delhi. He joined the prestigious National Defence Academy in 1996.

Military career He was commissioned to the 19 battalion of Jat Regiment as a lieutenant on 11 December 1999. Among his batchmates was fellow Ashoka Chakra recipient Mohit Sharma. He was promoted captain on 11 December 2003 and to major on 11 December 2005. In his short military career, he served in various appointments and was highly appreciated by his seniors for his leadership and dedication qualities. He did a stint in 42 Armoured Regiment during 2003-2004.He was also awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation medal for his contribution in Operation Parakram in Drass sector.

On 2 October 2007, he led an operation against terrorists in the Baramulla sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He heard the shouts of a fellow officer during the fire exchange and crawled towards him and two others amid the intense fire. Thereafter he killed two terrorists but sustained gunshot wounds in the process. He continued to lead his team forward until he fell unconscious. He was later airlifted to the Srinagar base hospital. For his bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime military decoration in India.

The following is the Ashoka Chakra citation honouring Major Dinesh Raghu Raman's supreme sacrifice: