Constable Thankappan Mohan was a member of the 35th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He was born on 12 March 1953 and was a resident of Puthupally Lane, near Medical College, in Trivandrum, Kerala. He was married to Smt. S. Padmin.
In 1987, personnel of the 35th Battalion were deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). The deployment supported the Indian mission during operations against militant groups in the country.
On 15 October 1987, two CRPF companies were ordered to move from Palali Airfield towards Karawadi East in the Tropo area. The convoy was travelling in three vehicles when militants ambushed it with rocket launchers, mortars and automatic weapons.
The CRPF personnel returned fire as their vehicles continued moving. Constable Thankappan Mohan sustained bullet wounds to his chest and a severe injury to his shoulder. Despite these injuries, he continued operating the Light Machine Gun and firing at the attackers until he collapsed and died.
According to the official CRPF account, his courageous actions helped save the lives of his fellow personnel. For conspicuous courage and valour in the face of the militants, he was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
Constable Thankappan Mohan made the supreme sacrifice on 15 October 1987 while serving with the 35th Battalion, CRPF, as part of the IPKF deployment in Sri Lanka. His courage and sacrifice remain an important part of the CRPF's institutional history.