Service No : IC 53987

Date of Birth : Apr 29, 1973

Birth place: Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Service: Army

Last Rank: 2nd Lt

Unit : 1/11 Gorkha Rifles

Regiment : 11 Gorkha Rifles

Awards: Ashok Chakra

Date of Martyrdom : July 20, 1997

2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt AC

2nd Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt was born on 29th April, 1973 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. His father Major Pramod Nath Datt also served in the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles and was the reason 2nd Lt Puneet wanted to join the same regiment. His grandfather Col. S.N.C Bakshi also served in the Indian Army while his uncle V. K. C. Bakshi was a Commander in the Indian Navy. 2nd Lt Puneet had a brilliant academic career and took keen interest in sports and extra curricular activities. He did his schooling from St. Bethney’s School in Darjeeling, St Joseph’s Academy in Dehradun, St. Xavier’s School in Jaipur and finally completed his class XII from Tagore Public School in Jaipur. He also excelled in football and rowing whilst in school. Throughout his childhood, he nursed his ambition to join the Indian Army. As a little boy, he would don his grandfather’s or father’s uniform, complete with the Gorkha Hat and pretend to be an officer.

 

He was known as ‘Dikky’ amongst his friends. While still at High School, Dicky paid his full attention towards his goal in life, i.e. joining the Indian Army. Through his grit, determination and hard work, he secured entry in the NDA in December 1991. At NDA, he had a brilliant record and due to his proficiency in both academic & military subjects as well as outstanding officer like qualities, he was awarded the coveted rank of ‘Cadet Sergeant Major’ for his squadron – ‘Echo’. As CSM, he had won the prized Cross Country Shield for his squadron and was also awarded three Gold medals in rowing. So determined and full of zeal was he to join his father’s regiment that throughout his stay at the NDA, he used to proudly display the Gorkha crest, always polished, on his study table. He would often write back home that his spirits really soared whenever he met a Gorkha officer.

 

Naushera Operation : 20 July 1997

 

Within a short span of 1½ years after his commissioning, 2nd Lt Puneet successfully completed the Young Officers’ Course, Commando’s Course and Fire Fighting Course. During 1997, 2nd Lt Puneet’s unit was deployed in J & K and was engaged in counter insurgency operations. On 19 July 1997, his unit received informaiton form the intelligence sources about the presence of some hard core mercenaries in a village in Naushera, a place falling in its area of responsibility. A decision was taken by the unit to launch a search and destroy operation with a team led by 2nd Lt Puneet. He set out for the mission and very soon cordoned off the suspected building. It was a three-storey building with a compound wall which was being used as a hideout by the foreign militants.

 

On being challenged the militants fired at the troops thereby confirming their suspicion. The gun battle continued for three hours but the success seemed to be eluding the assault team. Then 2nd Lt Puneet decided for an audacious move and jumped over the wall of the house to get closer to the building. As he crossed over he ran into a militant trying to make a dash for freedom and shot him dead. Thereafter, 2nd Lt Puneet kept on lobbying the grenades at the first floor from where the last surviving militant was continuously firing. The militant too spotted 2nd Lt Puneet and fired at him but at that very moment, 2nd Lt Puneet let off a burst that killed the militant. However 2nd Lt Puneet got severely injured and was evacuated to the hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. 2nd Lt Puneet Nath Datt was a valiant soldier and a fine officer who laid down his life in the service of the nation at the age of 24 years.

 

2nd Lt Puneet nath Datt was given the nation’s highest peace time gallantry award, “Ashok Chakra” for his most conspicuous act of bravery, exemplary leadership and supreme sacrifice. His mother Mrs Anita Datt received the award on behalf of her brave son.

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.

Profile Maintenance

This profile is currently being maintained by Honourpoint.in. However, we would invite the family members, unit/formation or former colleagues of this brave soldier to contribute additional information and maintain this memorial site as well, thereby assisting us in our endeavour to spread awareness about this great Indian and inspire future generations.

Contribute
  • If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
    
    
    
Source
  • https://unsungwarheroes.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/2nd-lieutenant-puneet-nath-dutt/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puneet_Nath_Datt
  • http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Courage/Puneet/
  • http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Unsung-heroes-of-the-Kargil-War/articleshow/53395984.cms
Disclaimer

Honourpoint.intakes utmost precaution towards factual correctness of the uploaded data and makes sure that the data is from a credible source. However, we do not take responsibility for authenticity of the content and Honourpoint.inor any of its members cannot be held responsible for any misappropriation of the uploaded content.

10 Comments
  • Bhushan shishoo

    2018 at 1:52 pm Reply

    I knew him as a class mate of my son Nishanth. He would come to our house in bani park Jaipur. He was very charming and inquisitive.
    I was shocked to learn about his martyerdam from my son.
    I salute the martyer . Incidentally Naushera is the place where I spent my early childhood

  • Rajesh Gupta

    2018 at 2:24 pm Reply

    Salute…Brave man! You are legend in every aspect of life.

  • Rahul Kumar

    2019 at 8:53 pm Reply

    Dicky, a brave cousin who became legendary at an age when we were only boys in uniform.

  • Rahul Kumar

    2019 at 8:56 pm Reply

    Dicky, a Braveheart cousin who became legendary at an age when we were only boys in uniform.

  • Reeta Sumbria

    2019 at 7:57 am Reply

    I salute your valour and supreme sacrifice Brave Heart.Jai Hind.

  • Shilpi Upadhyay

    2019 at 1:50 pm Reply

    Grand tribute to great son of India
    Jai Hind !!!

  • SOURABH Jambotkar

    2020 at 12:17 am Reply

    Salute for your supreme sacrifice that you made for the nation. Nation will remember you for ever.

  • Devendra Kumar Singh

    2021 at 9:58 am Reply

    My salute to you Sir, Jaihind

  • SIDDHARTH SINGH

    2021 at 10:20 pm Reply

    He was the inspiration for Capt Manoj Kumar Padey, PVC (posthumous)

    Heroes inspire future Heroes!

  • Tushar Dev

    2023 at 4:49 pm Reply

    Jai Mata Ki !, What a Hero !!

Post a Comment