Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 29 June 1999 during "Operation Vijay", Captain Maridhyodhan Veetil Sooraj, second-in-command Charlie Company, was ordered to capture Point 4700 in the Drass sector from the North.  

It was a difficult approach since, apart from the objective, two more targets were interfering this approach However Captain Sooraj was determined to reach the top and kept moving his troops tactically. In doing so he got hit by an artillery splinter In hls hand and leg. Unmindful of his injury he kept moving up. When he was just thirty meters from the top, he sustained bullet injuries in his waist and hip and the attack almost became critical.

Captain Sooraj showed camaraderie, exemplary leadership, and motivated his troops to leave him behind and capture the objective. He gave the battle cry while lying in a pool of blood and without caring for his personal safety. He refused to get evacuated till the objective was captured. Motivated by their leader's resolve, the troops captured the objective.

Captain Maridhyodhan Veetil Sooraj displayed exemplary leadership, indomitable spirit, camaraderie, dogged determination and courage in the face of the enemy.