Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 14 October, 1948, Jemadar R Thangavelu was detailed with four other ranks to blast rocks on the Baltal-Gumri Road to open a way for tanks and other heavy vehicles to pass. While at work he was heavily fired at by the enemy, but undaunted he finished his job and went ahead to complete another demolition. Realising the danger his men were in, he asked them to take cover and all alone he went to do the blasting. Mortar bombs and several bursts of Browning and LMG were fired at him but with determination and courage he completed the allotted task on 15 October.