03/07/2020
"If death strikes before i prove my blood, i swear, i will my death."
The victory at point 4875, Jubar Top and Khalubar wouldn’t have been possible without this man and the bravest Gorkha Soldiers.
Already recommended for MAHA VIR CHAKRA for the BATTLE OF KUKARTHANG, Lt. Manoj Pandey was tasked by his CO to lead a column and attack from the left flank. With Havildar Bhim Bahadur Diwan he took a section and moved to left flank of ridge.
Moving boulder to boulder swiftly they were able to reach near the first enemy bunker. They would have been short of 30m of that when heavy machine gun fire was showered towards them. They knew about the fierce Gorkhas and their close combat skills with Khukri and were trying to halt as much as possible.
Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey spotted six bunkers on ridge line. He summoned Hav. Bhim Bahadur and said, “Bahadur Saab app piche ke taraf se do bunker clear karo, aur me agee se baki chaar karta hun.”
“Ho jayega Sahab” came the reply.
Hav. Bahadur kept his words and cleared those two bunkers but he had to sacrifice his life.
Meanwhile Lt. Pandey was launching the attack from the front with another section. With the shoot and move tactics, they lobbed gr***des in first two.
The feature echoed with their war cry,
“JAI MAHAKALI, AYO GORKHALI”
Lt. Pandey moved ahead for their bunker, he engaged in a close combat which resulted in serious injuries, he managed to kill them as well. With just one bunker remaining he lobbed a gr***de towards it but received a burst of fire on his body. The gr***de did its job but Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey was no more.
But he completed the dream which he had, Posthumously decorated with PARAM VIR CHAKRA.
“SOME GOALS ARE SO WORTHY, IT’S GLORIOUS EVEN TO FAIL.”
1/11GORKHA RIFLES FAKR HAI...🇮🇳❤️
A big thanks to the CADET SASHMITA MUNDA for her unique creativity in commemorating the valour and sacrifice of our Brave Soldiers.