Ramaswamy Parameshwaran

Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, was born on 13th September 1946, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was granted Short Service Commission in the Mahar Regiment on 16th January 1972. He took part in a number of operations undertaken by the Indian Army, winning the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery.

Military Action

Under the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement many Indian Army units were dispatched to Sri Lanka to maintain law and order there. The Mahar Regiment, Major Parameswaran's unit, was also sent to Sri Lanka to participate in Operation Pawan. On 25 November 1987, Major Parameswaran was returning with his column from a search operation late in the night. Suddenly, his column was ambushed by a group of militants.

With great presence of mind he encircled the militants from the rear and boldly charged them. This completely surprised the enemy. During the hand-to-hand combat that followed, one militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted by his grave injury, he snatched the rifle from a militant and shot him dead. Though critically wounded he continued to give orders and inspire his command until he breathed his last. The ambush was finally cleared. In this action, five militants were killed and three rifles & two rocket launchers were captured. For the most conspicuous bravery & supreme sacrifice, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

Citation

The citation for the Param Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

MAJOR RAMASWAMY PARAMESWARAN 8 MAHAR (IC-32907)"On 25 November 1987, when Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was returning from search operation in Sri Lanka , late at night, his column was ambushed by a group of militants. Then he realised that it was hard core trained and world no 1 weponized LTTE fighters ataking them completely by surprise. During this heavy fighting in the dark, militant shot him in the chest. Gravely wounded, he continued to give orders and inspired his command until he breathed his last. Five militants were killed and three rifles and two rocket launchers were recovered and the ambush was cleared with 32 forces laid their life bravely"

"Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and thought nothing of dying at his post."

ee also

*Indian Army
*Param Vir Chakra