Captain MV Pranjal's final homecoming: A hero's journey cut short in Rajouri encounter

Bengaluru: Captain MV Pranjal, soon to be promoted to Major, was among the five brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the nation during the ongoing Rajouri encounter. The mortal remains of Captain MV Pranjal had previously arrived at HAL Airport, Bengaluru, where the young captain was honoured by his parents, wife, and relatives as they paid their last respects.

The arrival, tributes and homage

The mortal remains were brought with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute. Senior leaders of Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also paid their respects to Pranjal. During his homecoming, people in Bengaluru came out of their homes to pay their last tributes to the fallen captain.

A profile in courage

The 29-year-old Captain, hailing from Bengaluru, lost his life during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri on Wednesday.

Born and raised in Mysuru, Karnataka, Pranjal imbibed the virtues of courage and patriotism from his father, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited's (MRPL) retired managing director, M Venkatesh, and his mother Anuradha. He completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, Surathkal.

Driven by a passion for serving the nation, Pranjal completed his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) at Delhi Public School and ventured to Mahesh College in Mangalore for his Pre-University Course before acquiring an engineering degree at the Military College of Telecommunication in Madhya Pradesh. His fervour for joining the armed forces led him to the esteemed National Defence Academy (NDA) and eventually the Indian Army.

Joining via the TES-30 Entry with an All Indian Rank-2, he showcased leadership skills and a commitment to duty. Serving in the 63rd Battalion of Rashtriya Rifles in the challenging terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, Captain Pranjal faced constant threats from terrorists but never wavered in his resolve to protect the nation.

The ultimate sacrifice

His dedication was tragically cut short on November 22, 2023, during a fierce encounter with terrorists in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Engaged in a firefight, Captain Pranjal made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. His impending promotion from Captain to Major embodied his skills and leadership, something that remained unfulfilled due to fate's intervention.

A hero's legacy

H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister, had previously expressed grief, honouring Captain Pranjal as a proud Kannadiga who laid down his life in service to the nation. His sacrifice serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices faced by our valiant soldiers every day. The captain might have fallen, but his legacy now etched in the nation’s history shall become immortal—a brave son, a dedicated officer, and a patriot who selflessly served the country. His journey, from a young boy in Mysuru to a valiant soldier in the Indian Army.

As of now, in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, security forces have neutralised a high-ranking Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Quari, and another militant in the Rajouri sector. However, during the operation, four others fell with Pranjal, including Captain Shubham Gupta (9 Para), Havildar Abdul Majid (9 Para), Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht (9 Para), and Paratrooper Sachin Laur (9 Para).