Bharat mourns the valiant sacrifice of Agniveer Murali Naik (23), who laid down his life in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor, while foiling a Pakistani terrorist infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The operation, launched by Indian forces in response to escalating cross-border threats, saw fierce exchange of fire in the early hours of May 9 around 3:30 AM, in which the he attained Veergati.
Murali Naik hailed from Kallithanda in Gorantla mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. He was the only son of Sriram Naik and Jyothibai. The family had migrated to Mumbai years ago in search of livelihood. His father worked as a daily wage labourer in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and ensured Murali received an education despite hardships.
After completing his early schooling in Mumbai and further studies in Andhra Pradesh, Murali pursued his childhood dream of joining the Indian Army. With strong resolve, he re-shifted to Maharashtra and underwent training at Deolali, Nashik. In 2022, he joined the Indian Army as an Agniveer under the new recruitment scheme. He was first posted in Assam, followed by a stint in Punjab, and was later assigned to the Uri sector during heightened security operations.
As the news of his martyrdom broke, leaders across the spectrum expressed deep sorrow and saluted the young warrior.
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu spoke to the bereaved family over the phone and assured all possible support, praising Murali’s courage.
దేశ రక్షణ కోసం ప్రాణాలు అర్పించిన అమరవీరుడు, సైనికుడు మురళీ నాయక్ కు కర్నూలు ఎయిర్ పోర్ట్ లో ఏర్పాటు చేసిన ప్రత్యేక కార్యక్రమంలో గౌరవ ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ నారా చంద్రబాబునాయుడు ఘన నివాళి అర్పించారు. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/dFIFv79LmY
— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) May 9, 2025
திரு. முரளி நாயக் அவர்களின் வீர மரணத்தை இந்த நாடு ஒருபோதும் மறக்காது.
– @PawanKalyan #OperationSindoor #IndianArmedForces @pibchennai pic.twitter.com/aMSLWglYLa
— Deputy CMO, Andhra Pradesh (@APDeputyCMO) May 9, 2025
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, MoS Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Opposition Leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also paid rich tributes, acknowledging the supreme sacrifice of the young Agniveer.
