E T Mathew

Biography

Colonel E T Mathew hailed from Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. He was commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), a crucial arm responsible for ensuring the seamless logistical support of the Indian Army, both in times of war and peace. In 1994, Colonel E T Mathew was serving with the 2 Field Ordnance Depot (2 FOD) of the Army Ordnance Corps, deployed in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. He was stationed at Badami Bagh Cantonment, where he played a vital role in overseeing the storage, inspection, and distribution of military equipment, including arms and ammunition seized from militants. On March 29, 1994, a high-level team of senior military officers was conducting an inspection of seized arms and ammunition. Colonel E T Mathew was leading the inspection, ensuring that the recovered weapons were properly cataloged and secured. During the course of the inspection, a sudden and massive explosion rocked the area, triggering a devastating fire. Colonel E T Mathew was among those critically injured in the explosion. Despite all possible medical efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.