An Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, paratrooper, commercial pilot, advocate, and many more. Many roles, same person! He is not a reel character but a real hero who has proved that he can take on the role of a civil servant with equal ease as he can don the hat of an army officer.
He is 2004-batch IRS officer, Major Pradeep Shoury Arya, who is currently posted as the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax in Bangalore. His love for the nation and zeal to serve in the Indian Army are evident in his many achievements on duty, that have earned him much respect from all quarters.
GETTING INTO TERRITORIAL ARMY
In 2008, Major Arya appeared for a written exam, after obtaining an No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Income-Tax department and cleared Service Selection Board (SSB). He was Commissioned into 106 Para (TA), Infantry
He competed his Post Commission Training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. After a three-months training, he got commissioned into the 106 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army, where he was attached to the 4th Battalion of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Northern Command, Udhampur where he underwent training for specific combat roles and use of weapons specifically authorised for special forces.
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 and are required to serve the Indian Army for two months each year. However, if their civil office allows, they can spend more time in the army every year.
THE OPERATION
After India conducted surgical strikes on militant launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, Major Arya got a phone call from his Commanding Officer of 4 PARA, to report to the base camp in J&K in May 2017.
He was at the post of Captain at that time and was given a task of creating an effective intelligence and defence mechanism that could be used against cross-border infiltration in Baramula district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He had waited for this opportunity for a long time and was fully committed for such combats.
On the night of May 28, he was informed about an infiltration bid by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists around the 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.
An official statement issued by the Indian Army said that, at approximately 2230 hours on 28 May 2017, Captain Arya detected movement of four to six terrorists moving 200 metres into the nallah. Fearing the terrorists might slip away taking advantage of the moonless night and dense jungle foliage, the officer moved ahead with his buddy into the mined area to intercept them and immediately initiated a firefight.
Displaying great valour and nerves of steel, he closed in and took position on a fallen tree overlooking the terrorists. In a heroic display of combat leadership, he then ran out from his hidden position, unmindful of his own safety, and came directly in contact with the terrorists and eliminated them.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Major Pradeep Arya is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, National Law School (NALSAR), Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, including Alumnus of Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, USA.
Apart from the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, he has been adjudged the Best Officer Trainee in the Overall Order of Merit, 2013 during his training at the IMA, Dehradhun. He was the recipient of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Gold Medal, Brigadier KP Singh Deo Medal for Best in Physical Training, and Gold Medal for Best in Camps, Outdoor Exercises, and Activities.
He was awarded the Additional Director General, Territorial Army Citation, 2014 for his Distinguished Services and for being a role model to other officers and men in the Territorial Army.
He was conferred the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation, 2017, for Contribution to Investigation and Tracking the Money Laundering and Flow of Funds, for Terrorism and Anti-National Activities and was also presented by the Colonel of the Parachute Regiment (COR), Medallion, 2018, in recognition for his Devotion to Duty.
Apart from this, he has also received the National Award, 2013, from the Honourable Ex-President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, for Best Electoral Practices instituted by the Election Commission of India in effectively controlling the large quantity of cash exchange during elections in Karnataka and the North-Eastern state of Nagaland.
