Vir Chakra (VrC)

At Tithwal on 8 July 1948, a picquet of 1 Madras Regiment was so heavily shelled by the enemy that our troops had to withdraw over a suspension bridge on the river Kishenganga. To avoid enemy infiltration into our position, it was imperative to destroy the bridge after the withdrawal. A detachment of Madras S&M was ordered to carry out this job.

Sappers Achari and Arunachalam began to fix demolition charges to the bridge. By this time the bridge had become a registered target for enemy gunners and shells began to fall thick and fast around the gallant party. But Sappers Achari and Arunachalam continued their task. The shells were now unpleasantly close and a few minutes later just when their task was almost complete, a shell scored a direct hit, and killed them both. But their supreme effort was not in vain for their comrades took up where they had left and successfully demolished the bridge.