Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 27 December, 1988, Lance Havildar Arun Ramling Mali along with three men were carrying out the search of a group of about ten houses in area Punochimunai in Sri Lanka. While the search was in progress, suddenly the militants, hiding in a nearby house, opened automatic fire on Havildar Mali's search party with two AK -47 Rifles. The militants also started lobbing grenades at Havildar Mali's party. His party was, thus, pinned down by fire. The Non Commissioned Officer realised that unless the militants' fire was neutralised, there was every likelihood of his party as well as the adjoining search parties, sustaining fatal casualties. Without awaiting instructions from his Company Commander, Lance Havildar Mali ordered his party to provide him covering fire, while he himself crawled forward towards the house.

When about 20 metres from it, he got up and fired from hip position in utter disregard for his personal safety. He single-handedly shot dead all four militants in the house and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 112 round of ammunition with five magazines. Lance Havildar Arun Ramling Mali displayed conspicuous courage and valour in action against the militants.