Service No : IC-69022K
Date of Birth : December 13, 1984
Place of birth : Indore Dist (MP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Captain
Unit : 11 Grenadiers
Arm/Regt : The Grenadiers
Operation : Op Parakram
Martyrdom : February 8, 2010
Captain Prateek Puntambekar
Captain Prateek Puntambekar hailed from Indore district of Madhya Pradesh and was born on 13 December 1984. He was the son of Shri Ravindra Puntambekar and Smt. Shubda Puntambekar. Although he did not come from a family with a military background, his aspiration to wear the uniform and serve the nation took root during his formative years. His deep sense of patriotism, discipline, and commitment to the country inspired him to pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Determined to turn his dream into reality, he joined the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2003, embarking on the rigorous journey of military training that shapes future officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. During his years at the academy, he displayed dedication, perseverance, and leadership qualities, successfully completing the demanding training that prepared him for the responsibilities of commanding troops in one of the world's finest armed forces. After graduating from the NDA and completing his pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Indian Army on 7 June 2007 as a Lieutenant, at the age of 22. He was commissioned into the 11 Grenadiers, a battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, one of the Indian Army's most distinguished infantry regiments, renowned for its rich legacy of valour, sacrifice, and numerous battle honours earned in service to the nation.
The Grenadiers Regiment has a glorious legacy of courage and sacrifice, with a history spanning numerous wars and military operations. The regiment has produced many legendary soldiers who displayed extraordinary valour in the face of adversity and has been honoured with numerous battle and theatre honours for its exceptional service to the nation. Becoming a part of such a renowned regiment was a matter of immense pride for the young officer, who embraced the traditions of courage, discipline, and selfless service that define the Grenadiers. As he began his military career with 11 Grenadiers, Lieutenant Prateek Puntambekar carried forward his lifelong dream of serving the nation. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the responsibility of leading his men while upholding the proud honour, traditions, and ethos of The Grenadiers Regiment. Through his professionalism, commitment, and leadership, he earned the respect of his comrades and superiors alike. In 2009, in recognition of his dedicated service and growing leadership responsibilities, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Avalanche- (Gulmarg J&K): 08 Feb 2010
In February 2010, Captain Prateek Puntambekar was nominated to undergo a specialised Winter Warfare Course at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. HAWS is one of the world's premier military training institutions, renowned for imparting advanced training in snowcraft, winter warfare, high-altitude survival, mountaineering, and counter-insurgency skills. The demanding course prepares Indian Army personnel for deployment in some of the harshest operational environments, including the Siachen Glacier and other high-altitude forward posts along India's northern borders. Located amidst the snow-covered mountains of Gulmarg, the training area is known for its extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, blizzards, and avalanche-prone slopes. Despite stringent safety measures and constant monitoring, the unpredictable nature of the Himalayan terrain often poses grave risks.
On 8 February 2010, at around 11:00 a.m., tragedy struck during a training exercise in the Khilanmarg area, situated at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet above sea level. As Captain Prateek Puntambekar and fellow soldiers were undergoing high-altitude survival training, a massive avalanche suddenly thundered down the mountainside. The avalanche struck with devastating speed and force, leaving the soldiers with virtually no time to react or take evasive action. At the time, the Indian Army's Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) maintained a network of observatories across Jammu and Kashmir to monitor snow conditions and issue avalanche warnings to formations deployed in the region. However, this particular avalanche occurred without any prior indication, highlighting the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of mountain warfare. Immediately after the disaster, the Indian Army launched a large-scale rescue operation despite the hazardous conditions. Rescue teams worked relentlessly through deep snow and freezing temperatures in a race against time. After nearly six hours of intensive search efforts, 53 soldiers were rescued and evacuated for urgent medical treatment, while the bodies of 17 soldiers were recovered from beneath the snow.
Captain Prateek Puntambekar was among those who made the supreme sacrifice. Despite every possible rescue effort, he and 16 fellow soldiers succumbed to prolonged exposure to the extreme cold after being trapped beneath the avalanche. At just 25 years of age, Captain Prateek Puntambekar laid down his life while preparing to defend the nation's most challenging frontiers.
Capt Prateek Puntambekar is survived by his father, Shri Ravindra Puntambekar, and mother, Smt Shubda Puntambekar.
Deep Chunari
2026 at 12:10 pmin his honour we have named a bridge in his city indore . ” CAPTAIN PRATEEK PUNTAMBEKAR SETU “