As India gears up to celebrate the Republic Day this week, OIOP pays tribute to 3 brave soldiers who gave up their life fighting the enemy.

Captain Vijayant Thapar VR C (1976-1999)

Captain Thapar was a part of the 2^nd Battalion the Rajputana Rifles which was moved to Kargil in Kashmir in 1999 to fight militants. While rushing towards the enemy with his machine gun, Captain Thapar was hit on his eye by a bullet. In spite of severe pain and injuries, he kept the charge and silenced the enemy machine gun. And once his task was over, he fell. He was awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously. His proud grandmother received the medal from the President.  Said Major Sandeep Bajaj, Second-in-Command of his unit about the brave Captain, “He was too occupied to be tired and too busy to be afraid.”

Captain Umed Singh Mahra Ashok Chakra (1942-1971)

Captain Mahra was commissioned into 19^th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles on June 11, 1967. The unit was inducted into Nagaland on November 1970 to fight Naga insurgents.  Mahra took charge and carried out a pronged attack on the rebels. With complete disregard to his own safety, he led his men in the attack and was severely wounded in hands and stomach by fire from two rebels. He pressed on with the attack despite injuries. His bravery inspired his men who redoubled their efforts and the hostiles had to flee. It was one of the most successful raids and gave a severe jolt to the violent campaign of the Nagas.  The Army won but Captain Mahra succumbed to his injuries.  He was awarded the highest peacetime gallantry award of Ashok Chakra for devotion to duty, courage and leadership.

Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, MVC

Captain Kenguruse was posted to D Company as Ghatak (Commando) Platoon Commander, in the 2^nd Battalion the Rajputana Rifles. In 1998, the unit was deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Kupwara in Kashmir. On June 28, Kenguruse got a chance to come to gripes with the enemy. The enemy had retreated to the bunker on the cliff face leaving his dead colleagues behind. Kenguruse climbed up with just a rocket launcher. He shot two enemy soldiers and killed two more with his commando knife. As he was marching forward, he was hit by a machine gun and he fell back on to the rock 100 feet below and died. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his gallantry action.