THE ‘RAMBO’ – Major Sudhir Walia

The Legend Among Legends of 9 PARA SF
Famously remembered today as the “Rambo of the Indian Army,” Major Sudhir Walia, AC, SM, was truly one of a kind. If someone ever wants to know what fearlessness looks like, all they need to do is look at his picture.
Let’s revisit a few incidents that capture the essence of this remarkable soldier.

On one mission with his team in the Kashmir Valley, Major Walia was leading from the front. They were climbing a ridge before sunrise and had decided to build a harbour to dump their load before moving further. Suddenly, he noticed movement. It appeared to be a lead scout (the first person who checks an area and signals others if it’s safe—a method also used by terrorists). The scout looked like a young Kashmiri boy carrying a milk container.

Sensing something unusual, Major Walia instinctively ran alone after him before the boy could enter the village. Dressed in local Kashmiri attire himself, and being a Himachali with sharp features, he easily blended in. The boy assumed he was a local until Major Walia began conversing with him. The moment the boy’s weapon was revealed, before he could react, Major Walia shot him point-blank.
Think about the courage it takes to chase someone armed, without waiting for teammates—this was his fearlessness. He was so experienced that at times, terrorists would surrender just by hearing his commanding voice.

But his bravery wasn’t limited to the battlefield. Whatever task he was assigned, he excelled at it—always focused and determined to find the best way to get it done. Once, he was sent to the Pentagon in the United States for a prestigious multilateral training program. By then, as a Captain, he had already fought in the Kargil War and captured Zulu Top with his team.
During the course, he performed so exceptionally that at the final presentation, he received a standing ovation lasting five minutes—the first Indian Army Para officer to attend that program.

Such was his aura that soldiers in his unit kept his photograph in their lockers, treating him like a god. Imagine—men who themselves are among the best in the world looked at him in awe. That tells us everything about how humble, brave, and extraordinary he was.

Sometimes, his friends and fellow officers would ask him why he took such high risks. His reply was simple yet profound:
“These are calculated risks. I am better trained, my reactions are faster, I am more efficient with weapons, and I am more competent than a petty terrorist. Yes, sometime it can happen that I might get shot in the hand or leg, but I would be very unlucky to get a headshot.”
This was his mindset. What others saw as pushing the limits was normal for him. And this is in no way to undermine other officers—each has their own way of working and looking at life. But Major Sudhir Walia’s way was unique—defined by unmatched courage, calm confidence, and extraordinary skill.
Major Sudhir Walia was the perfect embodiment of what the West calls a “Killing Gentleman.” A warrior, a leader, a legend—forever remembered as the Rambo of the Indian Army.