Captain SS Walkar MVC

Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar was born on 8th March 1943 in Kadgaon Village of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. Capt SS Walkar joined the Army as a commissioned officer on 15 June 1969 at the age of 26 years. He was commissioned into 18 Madras battalion of the Madras Regiment, a regiment well known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle honours. Very early into his service career, Capt SS Walkar got involved in active operations as the war with Pakistan broke out in the year 1971. During the war of 1971, Capt Walkar’s unit, 18 Madras was deployed in the Nayachor/Umarkot sector on the western front and played a very crucial role in containing the Pakistani attack.

Indo-Pak War : 16 Dec 1971

In December 1971 India had to go to war with Pakistan as the genocide perpetrated by Pakistani army in their erstwhile eastern part of the country had posed an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees. India had to fight war on its eastern as well as western and northern fronts which culminated in liberation of Bangladesh. In the Rajasthan Sector 11 and 12 Indian Infantry Divisions, were deployed. Pak forces in this sector included 18 Infantry Division plus one Brigade and some para-military forces. Indian forces had planned a double thrust in the Rajasthan sector-12 Division on Longewala-Rahim Yar Khan axis and 11 Division on Barmer-Naya Chor axis. The thrust of 12 Division could not materialize because of the Pak attack on Longewala on 3 December. This Pak attack was blunted with the tactical air support. The Pak army lost about 24 tanks, and 150 vehicles in this air attack.

In the south, Capt Walkar’s unit, 18 Madras was deployed under the operational control of 11 Indian Infantry Division which  overran Pak border posts on the 4th. Advancing 45 km into Pak territory it contacted Naya Chor defences on 11 December. By 16 Dec 1971, 18 Madras had reached positions at Hingora tar about 2 kms from Umarkot. Capt Walkar was functioning as the Mortar Officer of the battalion during the operations. On the 16th Dec 971, when the battalion reached Hingore Tar after advancing 42 miles it came under very heavy shelling from enemy positions. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Capt Walkar went to each rifle company position to tie up defensive fire tasks. In doing so, he was hit twice by splinters and sustained injuries, but he refused to evacuated and carried on with his tasks displaying outstanding courage and devotion to duty.

Heavy enemy shelling continued during the night and in the early next morning the enemy assaulted two Company positions. Although wounded, Capt Walkar inspired his men to hold fast and leading from the front he engaged the enemy himself. He alone shot at least four enemy personnel and forced the enemy to pull back. He was, however, fatally wounded in this action and later succumbed to the injuries. Capt Walkar was a gallant soldier and gritty officer who laid down his life at the age of 28 years in the line of his duty. 

Capt Shankar Shankhapan Walkar was given the nation's second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice. 

The citation of Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:-

Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar was the Mortar Officer of a battalion of the Madras Regiment, during the recent operations against Pakistan on the Western Front. On the 16^th December 1971, when the battalion reached Hingore Tar after advancing 42 miles it came under very heavy shelling from enemy positions. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Walkar went to each rifle company position to tie up defensive fire tasks. In doing so, he was hit twice by splinters and sustained injuries, but he refused to evacuated and carried on with his tasks displaying outstanding courage and devotion to duty. Heavy enemy shelling continued during the night and early next morning the enemy assaulted two Company positions. Although wounded, Captain Shankar Shankapan Walkar inspired his men to hold fast, he himself shot at least four enemy personnel and forced the enemy to pull back. He was, however, fatally wounded in this action. After firing the last round, he succumbed to the injuries.

Throughout Captain Shankar Shankhapan Walkar displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exemplary devotion to duty. He fought bravely to the last.

• The Housing project of Shankar Enclave in Mumbai has been named after Captain Shankar S Walkar, MVC.