Vir Chakra (VrC)

During "Operation Vijay", Colonel Magod Bassappa Ravindranath, Commanding Officer, 2 Rajputana Rifles, was tasked to capture the strategic heights of Tololing Point 4590 and area Rock in the Drass sector, which dominated the Srinagar-Leh Road. Colonel Ravindranath went about the task in meticulous manner in which he personally led the reconnaissance teams of his battalion under enemy artillery and small arms fire. During the assault on 12 June 1999 at Tololing, the company was under constant enemy artillery shelling and heavy automatic fire. Realising the gravity of the situation, Colonel Ravindranath reached the spot and quickly restored the situation by his personal influence, which ultimately led to beating back the enemy counterattacks and consolidating hold on Tololing and Point 4590. In continuation of the Tololing operation, the battalion was again tasked to capture area Black Rock on the night of 28 June 1999. 

During the attack on Black Rock, the assaulting company lost both its officers, Realising the gravity of the situation, Colonel Ravindranath personally led the assault once again and was instrumental in capturing area Black Rock. 

Colonel Magod Bassappa Ravindranath displayed exemplary gallantry and led from the front in the face of the enemy.