GURBACHAN SINGH SALARIA
DCC Gurbachan Singh Salaria (10th NDA ‘B’ Squadron) was commissioned into 3/1 Gorkha Rifles in December 1956. In 1961, the battalion formed part of UN troops stationed in Congo.
The UN Headquarters in Elizabethville was in imminent danger of encirclement and attack by the local gendarmerie.
A tactical roadblock had been established by the enemy. The task of clearing this roadblock was assigned to his battalion.
In the ensuing battle, Capt Salaria with two sections of Gorkhas and two Swedish APCs, led the assault against a well entrenched numerically superior enemy, supported by two armoured cars.
The final charge with bayonet and khukris completely unnerved the enemy who ran away leaving forty dead.
Hit by a burst of automatic fire in his neck and bleeding profusely, Capt Salaria continued leading the charge till he collapsed.
For this valiant act, the country’s highest war honour, the Param Vir Chakra, was bestowed upon him.
ARUN KHETARPAL
SCC Arun Khetarpal (38th NDA ‘F’ Squadron) was commissioned into 17 Horse in June 1971. In December 1971, the regiment was in the Western sector where Indian and Pakistani troops were in battle array.
On December 16, 17 Horse joined battle with the enemy’s 8 Armoured Brigade. During the course of battle, 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, leading his troops overran the enemy, reorganised and launched a second attack with an armoured squardron.
Ten enemy tanks were destroyed in the fierce tank battle which followed, four of them by the determined young Lieutenant.
His tank then receive a direct hit and burst into flames. Though severely wounded, he refused to abandon his tank.
With grim resolve he set about the task of destroying the remaining enemy tanks. The last one he shot was barely a hundred metres away.
The Lieutenant and his tank erupted in a final blaze of glory after a second direct hit on the turret. Thus ended the glorious saga of a brave young warrior.
A grateful nation conferred upon him the nation’s supreme honour for gallantry and heroism beyond the call of duty.
MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY
Cdt Manoj Kumar Pandey (90th NDA ‘M’ Squadron) was commissioned into 1/11 Gorkha Rifles. On 2/3 July 1999, the battalion was involved in the Battle of Khalubar in the Kargil sector.
Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey led his men in exemplary fashion and displayed extraordinary valour and courage in recapturing the Juber Top from the enemy.
He accomplished the assigned task with a display of astute leadership and raw courage. He led his men from the front and surged ahead despite the hail of bullets and accurate enemy fire from a commanding position.
The assault culminated in a hand-to-hand combat wherein he was grievously injured. With utter disregard for personal safety, he led his men by example and recaptured the post before succumbing to his injuries sustained during the operation.
He was awarded the nation’s highest martial honour for upholding cherished ideals and displaying raw courage under fire.
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