Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC: India's Braveheart
Early Life
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, was born on 25 June 1975 in Kamlapur tehsil of Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh. After completing his primary education from Sainik School, Lucknow, he joined the National Defence Academy to realize his dream of donning the Army uniform as an officer.
He joined the 90th course of NDA and got commissioned to 1/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army. During his SSB interview, he was asked by a board member Why you want to join the Army? “I want to win Param Vir Chakra for the nation”, he responded immediately. He succeeded what he dreamt off but he was not there to receive the honour, which was received by his father.
Military Career
After getting commissioned, he was assigned to Kashmir Valley and thereafter posted to Siachen Glacier. He was then transferred to Baltik sector, where the first infringement of India and Pakistan took place.
Kargil War & Operation Vijay
Operation Vijay is the Indian operation to counter the attack of Pakistan in Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir in 3 May 1999. In retailiation, the Indian forces launched Operation Vijay.
Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey: Hero of Batalik
The army was preparing for a well-coordinated retaliatory action. Capt. Manoj led a series of boldly attacks during Operation Vijay leading to getting back the Juhar Top.
On the night of 3 July, 1999 as his platoon approached its final objective for the Pahalwan Chowki located at a height of 19700 feet it came under heavy firing from surrounding areas. He quickly moved his troop to an advantageous position. Under intense enemy fire from surrounding areas, he sent one section of the troop to clear enemy position from right and himself proceeded from left.
Capt Manoj fearlessly marched ahead with the booming battle cry, “Jai Mahakali, Aayo Gorkhali” clearing two enemy bunkers. While clearing the third bunker he was hit by the bullet on his leg and shoulder.
Without caring for his grievous injuries, he succeeded in clearing the fourth bunker with a grenade in the meanwhile he got hit a bullet in his forehead. Capt. Pandey later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred at the age of 24 years on July 3, 1999. His last words were “Na Chhodnu”, which means “Don’t Spare them”. This boosted the morale of the troops and they were able to gain control of six bunkers.
Entrance of Dras War Memorial
Legacy
He was awarded Param Vir Chakra (posthumous), the highest gallantry award.
The Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) named an apartment complex in Ghaziabad after his name “Manoj Vihar”.
The NDA named the science block as “Manoj Pandey Block”
A gallery in Kargil War Museum is named after his name.
"May God have mercy on our enemies because we won’t"
He is a true inspiration to the millennials who are following his footsteps.
Jai Hind!
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