Vir Chakra (VrC)

Subedar Madan Lai was 2nd in charge of a company of 5 Rajputana Rifles deployed in Sri Lanka as part of Indian Peace Keeping Force. On 18 October 1987, his company was tasked to lead the Brigade advance along western Pincer in a move to link up with 1 Maratha Light Infantry. When his company reached the final stages of link-up near Beach Road, Jaffna, it was pinned down by the militants with heavy and light machine gun fire. The Company Commander, Major R.K. Chaturvedi, too was killed in the firing. Subedar Madan Lal moved upto the point section and taking the rocket launcher himself fired at Light Machine Gun post, lulling four militants. He was hit in the mid-thigh but he refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his company advance against stiff enemy opposition. He even helped to bring the body of his Company Commander to safety. His efforts enabled the Brigade to establish a link-up with 1 Maratha L1 that was under siege by the militants.

Subedar Madan Lal displayed extraordinary courage, exemplary leadership and a high sense of devotion to duty with utter disregard to his personal safety.