On January 26, 2018, India’s third highest peacetime gallantry award — the Shaurya Chakra — was awarded to nine people for their immense valour in combating terrorists. What few Indians know is that among the nine winners of this prestigious honour was gutsy IRS officer who thwarted an infiltration bid in Kashmir.
Meet Captain Pradeep Shoury Arya, India’s first Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and Additional Commissioner of Income-Tax, Mumbai (Investigation Wing) who has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his efforts in fighting the enemy at the Line of Control (LoC).
A 2004 batch IRS officer, Pradeep’s journey from his desk in Mumbai to defending the Indian border in Kashmir has been singularly noteworthy.
Compelled by long-abiding love for the uniform, he decided to join the Territorial Army, India’s second line of defence after its regular Army,
The Territorial Army (TA) is basically an organisation of volunteers who receive military training in order to be mobilised for the country’s defence in case of an emergency. Members of the TA — all able-bodied and gainfully employed Indian citizens — can join are required to serve the Indian Army for two months each year.
In 2008, Pradeep secured a No-Objection Certificate (NoC) from the IT department and gave a written exam conducted by the the Service Selection Board for joining the Territorial Army. Passing with flying colours, he then cleared the medical and completed a pre-commission training at the Maharashtra’s Deolali cantonment before joining the Indian Military Academy..
After the mandatory three months training, Pradeep was commissioned into the 106 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (PARA) — also known as the Bengaluru Terriers— that is attached with the 4th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
In May 2017, Pradeep’s unit was deployed along the Line of Control (LoC). Appointed the mission leader, he and his team were given the task of creating an effective intelligence and defence mechanism that could be used against cross-border infiltration in Baramula district of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the night of May 28, Pradeep was informed about a probable infiltration bid by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists around Chabuk region of the 19 Infantry Division area.
Knowing the importance of preventing this from happening, the IRS officer immediately organised an ambush party and stealthily moved ahead to intercept the infiltrators.
According to an official stattment issued by the Indian Army,
At approximately 2230 hours on 28 May 2017, Captain Arya detected movement of four to six terrorists moving 200 meters ahead in the nallah. Fearing the terrorists might slip away using the moonless night and dense jungle foliage, the officer showing pre-eminent valour moved ahead with his buddy in the mined area to intercept them and immediately initiated a firefight.
Displaying intrepidity at the risk of his life and cold nerves, he closed in and sat over a fallen tree overlooking the terrorists. Captain Arya showed heroic initiative and inspirational combat leadership and ran ahead from his concealed position, unmindful of his own safety and came directly in contact with the terrorists and eliminated them.”
For his dogged determination and courage in the face of the enemy, Pradeep was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.
Back in Mumbai in his bureaucratic avatar, Pradeep is happy about getting the opportunity to pursue both civilian and military life. The father of two daughters, the consummate multitasker holds a Masters degree in Sociology, a Masters in Business Administration, a Masters in Law, a Masters in Taxation, and a Phd (Doctorate ) in Sociology and a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)!
Asked about the biggest challenge he faces while straddling both these worlds, Pradeep tells India Today,
“Every time I go there, I have to tell myself that I am not an IRS officer. If you go there with your status and ego, than the men will never respect you. They respect a man in command who’ll lead them…They respect a man who can give his life for them and in return they would give their lives for him.”
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A proactive IT officer, Pradeep also tries to utilize his experiences in both the fields for the benefit of the country. For instance, he has used his tax investigation knowledge to prepare a special report on terror funding and money laundering activities of extremists operating in Kashmir valley, an effort that has earned himself commendation from the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)..
Interestingly, awards and recognition are not new to Pradeep who was adjudged the best trainee officer during his time at the Indian Military Academy. He has also has won the prestigious President’s Award for “Best Electoral Practices” for effectively controlling large quantities of cash during polls in Nagaland and Karnataka
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