2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt AC

2nd Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt was born on 29 April 1973 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, into a family with a proud tradition of military service. His father, Major Pramod Nath Datt, had served in the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, and Puneet grew up deeply inspired by his father’s service and the regiment’s proud traditions. His grandfather, Colonel S. N. C. Bakshi, had also served in the Indian Army, while his maternal uncle, V. K. C. Bakshi, was a Commander in the Indian Navy. The strong military ethos of the family played a defining role in shaping 2nd Lt Puneet’s aspirations from an early age.Puneet had a brilliant academic record and was equally enthusiastic about sports and extracurricular activities. He studied at St. Bethany’s School in Darjeeling, St. Joseph’s Academy in Dehradun, and St. Xavier’s School in Jaipur, before completing his Class XII from Tagore Public School, Jaipur. He excelled in football and rowing and was known for his discipline, determination and competitive spirit.

His ambition to join the Indian Army was evident from childhood. As a little boy, he would often dress up in his father’s or grandfather’s uniform, complete with the traditional Gorkha hat, and proudly pretend to be an Army officer. His friends knew him by the nickname “Dikky”. Even during his high-school years, he remained firmly focused on his goal of joining the Armed Forces.Through sheer determination and hard work, Puneet secured admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in December 1991. At the Academy, he established himself as an outstanding cadet, excelling in academics, military training and sports. His leadership qualities and officer-like attributes earned him the coveted appointment of Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM) of his squadron, Echo Squadron.As CSM, Puneet led from the front and contributed significantly to his squadron’s sporting achievements. Under his leadership, Echo Squadron won the prestigious Cross Country Shield, while Puneet himself was awarded three Gold Medals in rowing. His achievements reflected not only his physical fitness and sporting ability but also his determination, discipline and leadership.

His attachment to the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles was particularly strong. So determined was he to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the regiment that throughout his time at the NDA, he proudly kept a meticulously polished Gorkha crest on his study table. He would often write home about how his spirits soared whenever he met a Gorkha officer. For 2nd Lt Puneet, joining the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles was more than a career choice—it was a deeply cherished aspiration rooted in family tradition, pride and a lifelong desire to serve the nation. Within a short span of about one and a half years after his commissioning, 2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt successfully completed the Young Officers’ Course, Commando Course and Fire Fighting Course. His eagerness to acquire professional skills and his commitment to becoming a well-rounded soldier reflected the determination and enthusiasm with which he approached his military career.

Naushera Operation : 20 July 1997

During 1997, his unit was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir and was actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations. On 19 July 1997, the unit received specific intelligence about the presence of a group of hardcore foreign militants in a village in Naushera, within its area of responsibility. The information indicated that the militants were holed up in a building and were likely to offer armed resistance. Based on the intelligence input, the unit decided to launch a search-and-destroy operation to neutralise the militants. The task was entrusted to a team led by 2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt. He immediately set out with his men and, displaying sound tactical judgment, quickly established a cordon around the suspected hideout. The militants were occupying a three-storey building surrounded by a compound wall, which provided them considerable protection and an advantageous position from which to engage the troops. The troops challenged the occupants and called upon them to surrender. Instead of responding, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the soldiers, thereby confirming their presence and the intelligence received.

A fierce exchange of fire followed. The gun battle continued for nearly three hours, but the assault team was unable to make decisive progress against the well-entrenched militants. With the operation reaching a critical stage and the militants continuing to fire from inside the building, 2nd Lt Puneet realised that the situation demanded personal initiative and exceptional courage. Rather than allowing the operation to remain stalled, he decided to move forward and close in on the hideout himself. In a daring and highly courageous move, 2nd Lt Puneet jumped over the compound wall and advanced towards the building. As he crossed the wall, he suddenly encountered one of the militants attempting to escape from the hideout. Acting swiftly, 2nd Lt Puneet engaged him at close range and shot him dead, thereby preventing his escape. He then continued his advance towards the building and concentrated his efforts on neutralising the last surviving militant, who was firing continuously from the first floor. With complete disregard for his own safety, 2nd Lt Puneet repeatedly lobbed grenades towards the position from which the militant was firing. The intense engagement brought him into the direct line of fire of the militant, who spotted 2nd Lt Puneet and opened fire at him. Even in that moment of extreme danger, 2nd Lt Puneet remained resolute. He immediately returned fire and, in a remarkable display of courage, determination and presence of mind, fired a burst that successfully neutralised the militant. However, during the exchange of fire, 2nd Lt Puneet himself was grievously wounded.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, he was evacuated and taken to hospital for treatment. However, his injuries proved fatal and 2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt succumbed to them, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at the young age of 24. 2nd Lt Puneet's actions during the operation were marked by exceptional courage, personal initiative and leadership under the most challenging circumstances. Faced with a prolonged gun battle and heavily armed militants occupying a fortified position, he personally led the assault and exposed himself to grave danger to ensure the successful completion of the mission. His determination to close in on the enemy and his final engagement with the last militant demonstrated the highest standards of courage and devotion to duty. For his conspicuous gallantry, exemplary leadership and supreme sacrifice, 2nd Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the nation's highest peacetime gallantry award. His mother, Mrs Anita Datt, received the prestigious award on behalf of her brave son. 2nd Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt's life and sacrifice remain an inspiring example of the finest traditions of the Indian Army. In an exceptionally short military career, he distinguished himself through professional excellence, physical courage and outstanding leadership. On that fateful day in Naushera, he chose to lead from the front when the situation demanded the highest degree of personal courage. His supreme sacrifice at the age of just 24 remains a lasting testament to his devotion to duty and his unwavering commitment to the nation

The  citation for Ashok Chakra awarded to Second Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt reads –

On 20 July 1997, Second Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt was ordered to lead his company in the search operation. An information was received that a group of mercenaries were holed up in a house. 2/Lt Datt decided to begin the search from a suspicious-looking three-storeyed house that provoked the militants to fire back.

In a three hour long encounter, the fearless young officer kept taking pot-shots at the windows and lobbing hand grenades into the solidly-built house. 2/Lt Datt insisted on taking up the task of clearing the resistance.The moment he jumped over the wall of the house, he ran into a militant trying to make a dash for freedom and shot him dead.Thereafter, 2/Lt Datt kept on lobbying the grenades at the first floor from where the last surviving militant was continuously firing.The militant spotted 2/Lt Datt and fired at him but at that very moment, 2/Lt Datt too spotted him and let off a burst that killed the militant. 2/Lt Datt sustained grave injuries and was evacuated to the hospital. 2/Lt Puneet Nath Datt displayed courage and valour of the highest order and laid down his life for the country. For this valiant and courageous act, 2/Lt Puneet Nath Datt was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.