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Friday, January 22, 2010

Stories of our Brave

Call of courage: These Army heroes inspire many
The Tribune


Vijay Mohan
Chandigarh, January 20

Naik Anil Kumar of 1 Para was among the bravehearts, who had stormed and liberated Nariman House during the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008. With victory at his feet, a few months later, the commando etched another story of gallantry. This time, however, with his blood, as he fell fighting a similar enemy but in a different location.

On a counter-terrorist operation in the rough jungles of Kupwara in March 2009, a far cry from the earlier cosmopolitan battleground, Anil spotted terrorists and opened fire. Retaliatory fire came in from three directions and in the melee, he rushed forward to rescue a buddy. Anil received gunshot wounds, but returned fire, killing two militants. He, however, succumbed to his injuries, and was decorated with the Sena Medal. Three Army commandos associated with the Mumbai operations were among 23 personnel awarded the Sena Medal at the Western Command investiture ceremony in Pathankot today. Four of them, however, were posthumous. Other tales of heroism that flowed forth at the ceremony included that of Lt Satbir Singh from the Army Education Corps (AEC), who too laid down his life combating terrorists in the North-East. Detecting terrorist movements while leading a team of commandos and police, he opened fire and killed one of them. After rescuing a wounded soldier, he again engaged the terrorists, killing another.

Naik Kishori Lal of 8 Grenadiers and Pankaj Gurung of 4/8 Gorkha Rifles also attained martyrdom, while displaying the same legacy of courage and leadership. Pankaj was leading a scout party near Manipur when on observing suspicious movements, he forewarned other security teams. In the ensuing action, he received injuries on his chest and arms, but held on to his position and engaged the enemy. His timely warning and subsequent action averted a major incident.

Kishori was leading a small team to cut off an escape route of terrorists in Kupwara, when the troops came under intense fire. He was hit in the leg, but he outmaneuvered the terrorists and came face to face with them from the flanks. In the ensuing gunfight, Kishori was fatally injured. Major Sanjay Kandwal of Kumaon Regiment and Naik Sate Singh of the Parachute Regiment were decorated for their leadership, courage and acumen during the Mumbai carnage. After evacuating scores of foreign and Indian hostages from the Taj Hotel, they charged into a bar where terrorists were holed up and neutralised them.

Of the 23 gallantry awards, 19 went to the Infantry, including the Parachute and Special Forces. The other recipients were one each from the Armoured Regiment, Army Ordnance Corps, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and the AEC. Three officers, Maj-Gen (now Lt- Gen) GM Nair (Infantry), Maj-Gen Surendra Nath (Armoured) and Brig SB Negi (Infantry) were awarded the Vashisht Seva Medal for meritorious services

The medals were presented by the General Officer Commanding, Western Command, Lt Gen Shankar Ranjan Ghosh. A large number of senior officers and their wives were also present on the occasion.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

All these guys deserve Ashok Chakras.They have laid down their lives when fully aware about the most likely consequences of their actions unlike some guys last year.

Kaps said...

One can only salute the spirit of these brave and real life heroes. Such exemplary courage is what the Indian Armed Forces are known for. I hope the nation for a moment turns away from their TV sets and take a note of these brave hearts. Thanks Maj Navdeep, for bringing out this story.

sanjaya said...

....hats off!

Rajababu said...

teen jai ke liye taiyyar,

officers and jawan of the army who have displayed immense courage and patriotism.

jai
jai
jai

let their souls attain salvation and god give strength to thier families.

jai hind

ANUPAM TIWARI said...

it is sad but all these heroics are all but confined within talks of related professional people since they are actively involved in such cases in some way and manner...where is aaj tak,ndtv,star news and the fleet?no where..and none is bothered too....time to have a channel exclusively for the defence forces show casing career opportunities,career profile and such heroics in form of brief news!!!it is sad but yes...these heroics should not be marketed like typical marketing product/event since it is altogether a separate excluded respected platform...but in INDIA...we need some thing to show case such things ...else the soldiers will be remembered and confined to 15th aug /26 jan and commemorating memoirs of mumbai blasts etc..

JB Singh said...

Courage is being afraid and yet doing the job because doing it was more important than your fear.

The tradition of valour of our young officers and jawans are unparalleled in world history. They are the "braves" that Guru Gobind SinghJi had in mind when he said "Sura So Pehchaniye......"

Anonymous said...

My SALUTE to the BraveHearts
Jaihind
RM

Anonymous said...

TAKING MUMBAI AWARDS AS REFERENCE THEY DESERVED "PVC"

rubintoday said...

I salute the soldiers who.have been protectin the nation without givin the least regard for their own lives.......india is proud of you...

Unknown said...

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