Lt. Col. Jasrinsols Anthony’s Vice -Commander, Lt. Colonel Jasrin.! Leb.

Matyrs
Lt. Col. Jasrinsols Anthony’s Vice -Commander, Lt. Colonel Jasrin.! Leb.

Today marks the 31st anniversary of the heroic remembrance day of Lt. Colonel Jasrin, the commander of the “Charles Antony Special Brigade,” along with six other martyrs, who embraced heroic death on 17.09.1991 while resisting the continuous advancement of the Sri Lankan military’s “Minnal” operation towards Manalaaru district, known as the “Heartland of Tamil Eelam.”

It is often said that those who march to the frontlines rarely return victorious. Perhaps having read this himself, Jasrin, before leaving for the final battle at Manalaaru, met his mother one last time and said, “Amma, I am going to war, but I will not return alive.”

His inner conscience must have urged him to convey this to his blind mother, knowing she would never see him again. To him, the duty he owed to his land seemed greater than the duty he owed as a son.

From 1984 until the moment he kissed the soil in sacrifice, he played a vital role in the growth of the struggle in various capacities. As a training camp officer, as the head of the explosives manufacturing unit, as a team leader, and finally, as the third commander of the Charles Antony Brigade—his contributions were immense and immeasurable.

In a training camp, a few individuals stand out distinctly. Among hundreds, their capabilities shine brightly. Jasrin was one such fighter who emerged from our fifth training camp, which was set up in Tamil Nadu. Recognizing his exceptional skills, Radha, who led the camp, took him along to Mannar.

In Mannar, Jasrin was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing a training camp and shaping new fighters. The knowledge passed down from the Leader to Ponnamman, from Ponnamman to Radha, and from Radha to Jasrin was, in turn, inherited by the fighters of the Mannar district.

From Mannar, when news arrived—”25 soldiers killed, 50 soldiers killed”—Jasrin would turn to his comrades with joy and say, “See, machan! Look at how my boys are fighting!”

Wasn’t that the immense joy of a father, a teacher, witnessing his students excel? Mannar, once known as barren land, was redefined as fertile soil through its fierce battles. That name, first established during Victor’s time, continued to hold meaning—thanks in no small part to Jasrin’s contributions.

Jasrin was not only a master strategist in battle planning and training but also a man of many talents. He was an exceptional actor, capable of slipping effortlessly into various roles and showcasing his remarkable acting skills.

Those who trained alongside him fondly recall him dancing with boundless energy as “Nathaar Thaathaa” and swaying his body rhythmically to the Hindi song “Ek Do Teen” during a cultural event. His ability to portray different expressions with precision was unmatched—anyone who knew him would agree without a second thought.

Similarly, Jasrin was a master in cooking—truly a modern-day Nala. The way he described his cooking process was something special. With expressive gestures and animated storytelling—”like this… like that…”—he could make anyone’s mouth water just by explaining a recipe.

Even in the camps where he stayed, it was his habit to prepare special dishes for his comrades, delighting them not just with his battlefield skills but also with his culinary expertise.

Jasrin was fluent not only in Tamil but also in Sinhala and English. He was always seen clean-shaven, without a moustache, and when he spoke Sinhala, even a native Sinhalese person would struggle to believe he was actually Tamil.

One of the most memorable roles he played during training was that of a Sri Lankan army officer—a performance his fellow trainees could never forget. His ability to slip into character with such authenticity made him a natural in deception and strategy.

Jasrin had a soft heart and a naturally compassionate nature. Yet, at times, he would have disagreements with his comrades, flaring up in anger. But soon after, he would calm down on his own, sometimes even breaking down into tears.

What made him unique was that after an argument, he would go out of his way to be even kinder and closer to the very people he had clashed with. His comrades knew this was just “Jasrin being Jasrin”, so they never held it against him.

War was Jasrin’s passion. In 1986, during an ambush by the Sri Lankan army at Naayaaru, they targeted Victor, launching a surprise attack. However, Jasrin was among those who successfully countered it, turning the battle in their favor. During this clash, he sustained a leg injury—one that never truly healed. Until his final moments, whether he was running or walking, the wound caused him pain. But he never let it bother him. From the war against Sri Lanka to the conflict with the Indian Peacekeeping Force, and then back to the war with Sri Lanka—he faced them all while bearing this injury. The entire Vanni region knew of his combat skills. The countless bodies of fallen soldiers in Kattaikadu stood as grim evidence of his battlefield prowess.

In the end, Jasrin successfully thwarted the Sri Lankan forces’ assault on Manalaaru, a strategic location intended to divide his homeland. It was during this very battle that he met his heroic death. Standing firm at the border, he repelled the enemy, and with a sense of complete peace in his heart, he embraced martyrdom, confident that the fighters he had trained would, one day, reclaim all of Tamil Eelam, including the Kangesanthurai region—his dream for a free land.

Memorial:- Mano.

From the 1992 issue from the field

Translated by Pooja