MN Rai

Colonel MN Rai YSM   SC
Born	Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh
Died	27 January 2015 Jammu Kashmir
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Army
Years of service	1997 — 2013
Rank	Colonel
Service number	IC55822X
Unit	9 Gorkha Regiment
Commands	42 Rashtriya Rifles 9 Gorkha Regiment
Battles / wars	Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir   †
Awards	Shaurya Chakra(Posthumus) Yudh Seva Medal
Alma mater	Indian Military Academy

Colonel MN Rai YSM, SC was a well decorated officer of the Indian Army who was a recipient of the Yudh Seva Medal. Rai died in a counterintelligence operation in Jammu and Kashmir on 27 January 2015. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Military career

Rai joined the Indian Army in 1997 and was commissioned in 9 Gorkha Rifles. Rai was awarded with Yudh Seva Medal on 26 January 2015, a day before his death for his actions in South Kashmir in 2014. ^[4] He used to lead the operations from the front. ^[5]

On 27 January 2015, his unit had received information about presence of terrorists in their operational area in Kashmir. Upon receiving the information, an immediate operation was launched by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force and the Indian Police.

Reaching at the terrorist hideout, the security forces surrounded them from all sides and gave them an opportunity to surrender. However, the terrorists started firing at the security forces. During the exchange of fire, Rai was shot and was taken for medical Treatment. He couldn't survive and died the same day. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Along with Rai, head constable Sanjeev Singh also died. ^[10]

Funeral

Rai was cremated with full military honour. The then Army Chief, Dalbir Singh Suhag paid tribute to Rai. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Rai's daughter, Alka, shouted the war cry of the Gorkha regiments "Ayo Gorkhali" (The Gorkhas are here) at his funeral. This incident went viral on the Internet. ^{[14] [15] [16]}

References

1. "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
2. "Tearful adieu to Colonel MN Rai martyred in Jammu and Kashmir gunbattle". India Today. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
3. "Daughter pays moving tribute to Colonel MN Rai who died fighting militants". www.hindustantimes.com/. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
4. "Colonel MN Rai died in gunbattle in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after receiving gallantry medal on Republic Day". India Today. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
5. "Colonel MN Rai always led from the front in multiple operations: Army". The Indian Express. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
6. "Col MN Rai YSM SC". Honourpoint. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
7. oiop (1 March 2017). "Colonel M.N. Rai, YSM - One India One People Foundation" . Retrieved 6 April 2025.
8. "In WhatsApp Status of Colonel MN Rai, Martyred in Kashmir, the Words of a Hero". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
9. "Tearful but proud daughter salutes braveheart Col MN Rai". The Times of India. 30 January 2015. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 6 April 2025.
10. "In WhatsApp Status of Colonel MN Rai, Martyred in Kashmir, the Words of a Hero". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
11. "Colonel M N Rai cremated with full military honours". The Economic Times. 29 January 2015. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 6 April 2025.
12. "Tearful farewell to gallantry award-winning Army Colonel M N Rai who died fighting militants". The Indian Express. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
13. "A Gorkha battle cry, tears and memories at Col Rai's funeral". The Indian Express. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
14. "Daughter of Martyr Col. MN Rai, Who Made The Country Cry". 27 January 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
15. "Killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounter, Colonel MN Rai laid to rest amid tears". Firstpost. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
16. Hindustan Times. "Col MN Rai laid down".