Col Jojan Thomas, commanding 45 Rashtriya Rifles, killed three terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 August 2008 despite severe gunshot wounds.
A 3:30 AM contact in Jammu and Kashmir
At about 3:30 AM on 22 August 2008, Colonel Jojan Thomas, Commanding Officer of 45 Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, made contact with a group of terrorists. He went to the area at once with the troops available to him.
A firefight began. Thomas led from the front and killed two terrorists at close quarters, and took severe gunshot wounds while doing so. He then fought a third man hand to hand and killed him.
He died of his injuries. Published accounts place the operation in the forests of the Macchal sector in Kupwara district.
An officer from Thiruvalla
Thomas was born on 22 May 1965 at Kuttoor, in Thiruvalla, Kerala, the son of an army officer, Captain P. A. Thomas. He was commissioned from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, into the Jat Regiment on 8 March 1986.
His wife, Reena Jojan Thomas, received the Ashoka Chakra from President Pratibha Patil at the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2009. He was 43 when he died.
Official text from the Press Information Bureau
On 22nd August 2008, at about 03:30 AM, Colonel Jojan Thomas, Commanding Officer of 45 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion deployed in Jammu and Kashmir established contact with a group of terrorists. Colonel Thomas immediately rushed to the area with available troops and soon a fierce firefight ensued. Leading from the front, Colonel Thomas eliminated two terrorists from close quarters. In the process he sustained severe gun shot wounds. Inspite of this, he engaged the third terrorist in a fierce hand-to-hand fight before eliminating him. Colonel Jojan Thomas displayed exemplary leadership and exceptional gallantry in eliminating three hardcore terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Source: Press Information Bureau release. Reproduced as printed, including any errors in the original.