M Sreejith, SC, SM

Biography

M Sreejith was born on March 27, 1979, in Thiruvangoor village, Kozhikode district, Kerala, to Valsan Makkada and Shoba Valsan. He completed his schooling at Thiruvangoor School and higher secondary education at Devagiri College, Calicut. Driven by childhood aspirations to serve the nation, he enlisted in the Indian Army in 1998 at the age of 19, joining The Madras Regiment. Over a distinguished career spanning 23 years, Naib Subedar M Sreejith served across varied terrains and was awarded the Sena Medal in 2002 for gallantry, devotion to duty, and meritorious service. He was posted with the 17 Madras Battalion in the volatile Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control in Rajouri district. On July 8, 2021, at 06:50 hours, while leading a Quick Reaction Team conducting a search operation, he spotted two to three terrorists in rugged terrain. He tactically deployed his team to establish a cordon and engaged the militants with effective fire. Observing the terrorists attempting to break the encirclement, he crawled to a flanking position and eliminated one terrorist in direct combat. During enemy retaliation with grenade fire, Naib Subedar Sreejith sustained multiple critical injuries. Despite severe bleeding, he refused evacuation and continued engaging the enemy before succumbing to his wounds. For his act of conspicuous gallantry, selfless leadership, and supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.