The Government of India has conferred the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour, on K. Vijay Kumar, a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer credited with leading the famed Operation Cocoon that brought an end to the two-decade terror of sandalwood smuggler and forest brigand Veerappan. The announcement was made as part of the Padma Awards 2026 list released on January 25.
Vijay Kumar, a 1975-batch IPS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, headed the Special Task Force (STF) constituted by the Tamil Nadu police specifically to capture or neutralise Veerappan, who had terrorised vast tracts of forest along the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka–Kerala border for over twenty years.
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Operation Cocoon, launched after intensive intelligence gathering and months of meticulous planning, culminated on October 18, 2004, when the STF surrounded Veerappan and engaged his group in an encounter in the dense forests of Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. The operation successfully neutralised Veerappan, ending his long criminal career marked by elephant poaching, ivory smuggling and attacks on law enforcement personnel.
In a statement accompanying the Padma Shri announcement, officials highlighted Vijay Kumar’s instrumental role in shaping and executing the operation, earning the trust of local communities and cutting off Veerappan’s supply lines and support networks.
Career and contributions
K. Vijay Kumar, born on 15 September 1952, joined the Indian Police Service in 1975 and served in various capacities throughout his distinguished career spanning nearly four decades.
Before commanding the STF for Operation Cocoon, he served in key positions including Superintendent of Police in multiple districts and in specialised security units. He later went on to hold senior leadership roles, including heading the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and serving as Director-General in national security roles. After retirement, he was appointed as Senior Security Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs and has also served as Adviser to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
During his service, Vijay Kumar received several honours, including the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, recognising his commitment to policing and public safety in challenging environments.
Operation Cocoon’s legacy
Operation Cocoon remains one of the most high-profile police operations in modern India. It was the culmination of years of intelligence-based tracking and coordinated action against a fugitive who had eluded law enforcement for decades. The STF under Vijay Kumar’s leadership adapted multiple undercover tactics and carefully executed moves to surround and isolate Veerappan’s network.
The end of Veerappan marked a significant achievement in India’s internal security efforts, bringing relief to communities long affected by his activities and restoring law and order in the forest belts of southern India.
Reaction and significance
The awarding of the Padma Shri to Vijay Kumar reflects official recognition of his role not only in one of the country’s most challenging criminal manhunts but also his broader contributions to Indian policing and internal security operations. Analysts say such honours reinforce the importance of intelligence-led operations and long-term strategic planning in law enforcement.
The list of 2026 Padma Award recipients also includes luminaries from arts, sports, civil service and other fields, underscoring diverse contributions to national life.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
