Operation Sindoor: Andhra Soldier Murali Nayak martyred in Pakistan firing at LoC

Amaravati: Indian Army soldier Murali Nayak, a native of Kallithanda village in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, was martyred in heavy shelling by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack occurred during Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, including two from Andhra Pradesh.

Nayak, who was stationed at the front lines and was unmarried, was the first soldier from Andhra Pradesh to sacrifice his life in the ongoing operation. Nayak breathed his last while efforts to airlift him to New Delhi went futile. It remains unclear whether he was killed in the shelling on Wednesday or Thursday. His mortal remains are expected to reach his native village on Saturday.

A pall of sorrow descended on the impoverished tribal community of Kalli Thanda and nearby hamlets as the news of Murali Nayak’s martyrdom spread across Sri Sathya Sai district. The only son of agricultural labourers Mudavath Sriram Naik and Mudavath Jyothi Bai from Gorantla mandal, Murali’s death left the village in mourning. People from across the district flocked to Kalli Thanda to offer their condolences and stand by the grieving family.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound grief over the loss, stating, “It is saddening to hear of the loss of life of a soldier named Murali Nayak from Gorantla Mandal, Penukonda Assembly Constituency, Sri Sathya Sai District in the defense of the country. Tributes to the martyr Murali Nayak who laid down his life for the country. I express my deepest condolences to his family members,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said that he was deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Murali Nayak during Operation Sindoor. “I am deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Murali Nayak, who lost his life while fighting on the battlefield in Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor. Hailing from Kallithanda village, Gaddamthanda Panchayat, Gorantla Mandal, Penukonda Constituency in Sri Sathya Sai District, Murali Nayak's bravery and courage are a matter of great pride for our state. His final rites will be conducted with full state honors. We will stand by his family and extend all possible support in every way,” Lokesh wrote on his X account.

“Deeply pained by the martyrdom of our brave Telugu Jawan, Murali Nayak, from Penukonda, Sathya Sai district, in the India-Pakistan battlefield in J&K. His supreme sacrifice for the nation will forever inspire us. My heartfelt condolences to his family. We stand with them in this hour of grief,” YSRCP chief and former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy posted on X.