Thread by @CestMoiz

Folks, sharing the story of Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (Posth)
He was martyred on 03 July 1999, but he'd seen much action before that too

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This day in 1999, a young Captain by the name of Manoj Pandey was going gung ho, clearing Pakis in Khalubar.
Little would he have ..

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.. have known that he had just about 41 days more in this world, before he attained martyrdom and immortal fame ..

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He led the most difficult tasks assigned to 1/11 Gorkha Rifles in the war, with full confidence in his fellow ..

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Gorkhas to deliver.
Here is a letter he wrote from the battlefield to a friend.
Download, Zoom & read

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As can be seen in the words he wrote, he knew the task was big, but also that it simply HAD to be done.
And that he was not afraid of ..

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.. what lay ahead.
His moment of glory would come on the night of 03/04 July in Khalubar where he singlehandedly cleared four bunkers ..

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.. out of six that had held up the Indian Army's advance towards the LoC in the Khalubar Sector.
In the process, he met a glorious death. But even as he fell, ..

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.. mortally wounded, the last grenade in his hand found the last remaining Pakis in the fourth bunker.
Even in death, his task was ..

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.. utmost in his mind.
His last words, his last command to him boys in fact was - "Na Chhornu" (Don't leave them).
The maddened Gorkhas ..

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.. ensured that their fallen leader's last command was obeyed with ruthless efficiency and extreme prejudice.
With their khukris flashing, they ensured not one Paki in the area saw the next dawn.

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When dawn finally broke, Paki dead lay littered on the battlefield. But the joy of victory was dampened by the loss of Manoj and other ..

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.. braves of the Paltan.
One Param Vir Chakra and three Vir Chakras (Col Lalit Rai, Hav Bhim Bahadur Dewan and LNk Gyanendra Kumar Rai) were bagged by the battalion that night.

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Mr Gopi Chand Padey, a humble gardener from Lucknow would soon find himself on the Rajpath, receiving the PVC ..

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.. earned by his son. Even normally drably worded official citation couldn't hide the sheer madness of that night when young Manoj earned his name in history.

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God bless this Param Vir and his parents who raised him to become one.

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Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (P) at the battlefield with fellow officers of his Paltan. A rare pic.

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Manoj Pandey with his parents, possibly during, or sometime immediately after his training years

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The final homecoming of Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (P).
07 July 1999

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A documentary on Manoj Pandey.
Totally worth the 15 mins of your life that it asks for.
Footage worth gold.
A MUST SEE

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Sergeant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Mike Squadron, National Defence Academy

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Junior Under Officer Manoj Kumar Pandey, Indian Military Academy

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A young Manoj Pandey at his native village Kamlapur, near Sitapur, about 60 km from Lucknow

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Last photo of Capt Manoj Pandey clicked during his last leave. 15 Mar 1999. He left for Kargil on 16th

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Khalubar-The last battlefield / Karmbhoomi of Capt Manoj Pandey.
Was unconquerable, but for Manoj & 100s like him

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Story of Capt Manoj Pandey for kids, a wonderful effort.
My elder one has read it more than 20 times

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In the end, I'll just plug in this short thread here .. the bonds made about two decades ago on the battlefield still run strong.

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