Colonel N Jayachandran Nair AC, KC

Colonel N Jayachandran Nair was born on February 17, 1951, in Ernakulam, Kerala. Popularly known as “NJ”, Col N Jayachandran Nair is one of the most decorated officers in the Indian Army.  Col Nair studied in the Sainik School, Kazhakootam, Kerala and later joined the National Defence Academy, Pune (38th NDA course and belonged to ‘I’ Squadron). He got commissioned into 16 Maratha Light Infantry on 18 June 1971.

During his service career, Col Nair served in various operational areas with different terrain and working environment. He also served as an instructor at the Army Intelligence school in Pune. He was also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington and had a tenure in Bhutan. His career in the Indian Army spanned over two decades, during which he had held varied command and as well as staff appointments.

During 1983, Col Nair’s unit was deployed in Mizoram area engaged in anti-insurgency operations. On 13 Feb 1983, Col Nair’s unit was tasked to launch an operation to flush out insurgents suspected to be in their hideout. Col Nair himself led the operation and engaged the insurgents in close quarter combat. The operation was successful and he was awarded the nation’s second highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for displaying exceptional gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy.

Nagaland Operation: 20th Dec 1993

During 1993, Col Nair’s unit was deployed in Nagaland, infested with insurgents engaged in anti-national activities. On Dec 20, 1993, Colonel N Jayachandran Nair was leading an advance party of the convoy in Nagaland when they were ambushed by about one hundred insurgents. The insurgents in a pre-planned attack used automatic weapons and managed to kill 1 Junior Commissioned officer and 13 jawans on the spot. Col Nair too got injured in the attack but did not lose courage and took charge of the situation.

Col Nair though seriously injured, crawled to the other side of the road on his knees to get into a tactically advantageous position. Like a hero, he carried an injured soldier on his shoulders and directed his troops to fire at the rebels. This resulted in the halt of cross firing from the rebels which gave Col Nair crucial time to tactically position his troops for the assault. Col Nair despite being wounded badly kept on motivating his troops and finally forced the rebels to retreat. Col Nair subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Col Nair as a commanding officer of his unit acted as a true military leader and saved the lives of his men by his daredevil action and unyielding fighting spirit.

Colonel N Jayachandran Nair was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ” Ashok Chakra” for his outstanding courage and supreme sacrifice.

Colonel N Jayachandran Nair is survived by his wife Manju Nair.