To commemorate the legends of the Kargil War today I would be writing about a gallant officer of the Indian Army, Param Veer Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey from 1/11 Gorkha Rifles.
Born in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, Manoj was a very intelligent and energetic personality. He completed his schooling from Uttar Pradesh Sainik School, Lucknow and soon after joined National Defense Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He had a keen interest in sports, especially Boxing. He excelled in sports at the NDA too. After graduating from NDA in the 90th course from M squadron he was sent on the forward post.
After serving in Siachen, when his company was to return back to home, the first intrusions of the Pak Army were detected on the Kargil Heights.
Considering the Gorkhas to be the best fighters for the terrain they were deployed in the Kargil Sector. Captain Manoj, as described by his Commanding Officer, Col. Lalit Rai, was a very confident and caring officer. He was a highly optimistic personality who once said "Some goals are so worthy, that it's even glorious to fail". But, the word "fail" was not in this young's officer's vocabulary.
Captain Manoj is credited for leading his men to some of the early victories of the Kargil War. He ruthlessly ran over the enemy at Jubar top. Jubar was the most important strategic point for the Indian Army.
This young officer's appetite of victory was not yet over. When a deadlock occurred for the troops at Khalubar Hills, Captain Manoj volunteered to lead the troops to the hill top. On the night of 2/3 July 1999 a team led by Manoj took to the most difficult path to the hilltop. After reaching half the way the Pakis fired from the top. The fire was heavy and Manoj quickly decided to distribute the team in two. One was sent to attack from right and the other he took with him to attack from left. Fighting ferociously Captain Manoj went from bunker to bunker killing the enemy in a hand to hand combat, shouting the Gorkha War-Cry "Jai Maa Kali, Aya Gorkhali".
Shot in right shoulder Captain Manoj killed to enemy soldiers and cleared the first bunker. Seeing their officer's valor the team was encouraged to cut the enemy into pieces. They fell upon the Pakis like never before. Colonel Lalit Rai recalls the situation "It was amazing to see 5 feet Gorkhas jumping courageously and chopping heads of 6 feet Pathans". He remembers the sight of falling heads of Pak soldiers down the hill as he was climbing up along with his men.
Such was the encouragement that Captain Manoj had filled in his men. Unfortunately, while clearing the second bunker Captain Manoj got fatal shots in leg. However, undeterred by the pain he advanced towards the other bunkers and cleared two more. He succumbed to the injuries soon after assuring that the Khalubar has been fully cleared off the enemy. The last words of the Gallant officer were "Na Chodnu" ("Don't Spare Them" in Nepali language).
What a huge loss it was for the Army as well for the country which was deprived of one of its brightest son. Captain Manoj was awarded Param Veer Chakra posthumously on the 52nd Independence Day. National Defense Academy, thereafter, named its Science block after the legendry officer as Captain Manoj Block. His gallant and valor would prevail in the hills of Kargil forever. His confidence and the appetite for success is a constant source of inspiration for youth all over the world.
He died at young age - 24.
Prior to his selection, during his Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the interviewer asked him, "Why do you want to join the Army?" He immediately replied, "I want to win the Param Vir Chakra." True to his words, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey did win the country's highest gallantry honour but posthumously.
In his personal diary he wrote : "Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail".
In the memory of his mother read: "She is the star which shines brightly in the darkness, some one who will always give and bless."
Just below the poem, are the four lines written in bold letters: "If death strikes before I prove my blood, I promise (swear), I will kill death."
It's true that for every evil (Raavan) on this earth a Brave-heart (Ram) is born somewhere on the same planet. For us, men like Captain Manoj play the role of God in disguise. May his soul rest in peace.
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P.S.:- Character of Captain Manoj was portrayed by Ajay Devgan in the movie L.O.C.
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