Service No : IC-56959W
Date of Birth : June 25, 1975
Place of birth : Sitapur Dist(UP)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Captain
Unit : 1/11 GR
Arm/Regt : 11 Gorkha Rifles
Awards : Param Vir Chakra
Martyrdom : July 3, 1999
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey PVC
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, belonged to Rudha village in Kamlapur tehsil of Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 25 June 1975. Son of Shri Gopi Chand Pandey and Smt Mohini Pandey, Capt Manoj had two brothers Mohit & Manmohan, and a sister Pratibha as his siblings. Even as a child he was quite gutsy and would often amaze the elders with his acts of bravery. Despite having a gutsy temperament, he was good in academics too. He initially studied at Herald Montessori School in Lucknow and later shifted to Rani Laxmi Bai School in Lucknow. Subsequently, he studied at UP Sainik School, Lucknow wherein his dream of joining the Army took firm shape and the foundation of his future life was laid.
He had a keen interest in sports too and excelled in boxing and bodybuilding in particular. Subsequently, he got selected to join the National Defence Academy in his pursuit of realizing his dream of donning the Army uniform as an officer. He joined the 90th course of NDA and passed out in the year 1996. He later went to IMA Dehradun for further training and passed out as a 2nd Lieutenant on 07 June 1997, at the age of nearly 22 years. He was commissioned into the 1/11 GR Battalion of the Gorkha Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment of the Indian Army, known for its gallant soldiers and various heroic exploits.
Prior to his selection, during his Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the interviewer had asked him, “Why do you want to join the Army?” He had immediately replied, “I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.” True to his words, Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey did win the country’s highest gallantry award but unfortunately did not live to receive it in person. After commissioning, his first assignment was in the Kashmir valley and thereafter he was posted to Siachen. Whilst in Siachen he received orders to move to the Batalik sector, where the first intrusions by the Pakistani forces were detected and the Army was preparing for a well-coordinated retaliatory action.
Khalubar Ridge Operation (Kargil War) : 02/03 July 1999
During June-July 1999, Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey's unit was deployed in the Batalik sector of Ladakh and was part of "Operation Vijay". The unit was functioning under the command of the 70 Infantry Brigade with the overall control being with the 3 Infantry Division. By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had intruded well across the LOC, in the Mushkoh, Drass, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The extent of penetration across the LOC varied from 4 to 8 kms in each sector. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the enemy forces, who were not in the visible range. On discerning the layout of ground and enemy intrusions, it was decided to first drive a wedge in the enemy intrusion area by opening a corridor to the LOC through the Junk Lungpa and thereafter tackle each area piecemeal. This task was given to 12 JAK LI along with 10 Para(SF) and a company of Ladakh Scouts and was completed by 03 June 1999. However, the enemy continued to occupy the ridges to the West, East, and North. Having secured the corridor through the Junk Langpa, it was decided to capture the other ridges one by one. The enemy's main intrusions and defences were on the Khalubar-Padma Go Ridgeline. Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey's unit 1/11 GR along with 22 Grenadiers was tasked to launch an assault operation in this area.
Khalubar-Padma Go Ridge comprised the features of Pt 4812, Khalubar, Pt 5287, Pt 5000, and Stangba. 70 Infantry Brigade decided to use the elements of 1/11 GR, 22 Grenadiers, 12 JAK LI, and Ladakh Scouts to capture these features. 1/11 GR and 22 Grenadiers were tasked to capture Khalubar and Pt 5287 complex. These were the most formidable defences of the enemy and were very challenging to capture. The Kalubhar Ridgeline dominated the Batalik Area. The Jubar Complex was to its left and Point 5203 to its right in the Chorbat La Area, close to the LOC. The highest feature was Point 5287 (approximately 16,000 feet), with Point 4812 in its vicinity towards the south. The enemy had occupied Khalubhar Ridgeline and it was important to evict the enemy to reclaim the lost territory. As part of the operational plan, 1/11 GR was assigned the task of taking over Khalubar. The task was given to the ‘B’ company of 1/11 GR wherein Capt Manoj was commanding Platoon No 5. Earlier Capt Manoj was also part of the team which had captured Jaubar Top and established the first post there.
On the night of 2/3 July 1999, Capt Manoj along with his troops marched off for the Pahalwan Chowki located at a height of 19700 feet on his way to Khalubar. As the assault team moved ahead, it faced heavy and intense enemy fire from both sides of the hillock. Capt Manoj quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and himself proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Capt Manoj fearlessly charged ahead with the booming battle cry, “Jai Mahakali, Aayo Gorkhali” clearing two enemy bunkers. While clearing the third bunker a barrage of bullets hit him on the shoulder and legs. Undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth bunker and destroyed the same with a grenade. As he hit his target he himself got hit in the forehead with a bullet. Capt Manoj later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred at the age of 24 years. The troops under the command of Capt Manoj gained control over six bunkers and killed eleven enemy soldiers besides getting a good stock of arms and ammunition including an air defense gun. Besides Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey six other soldiers of 1/11 GR were martyred during this entire operation. The other martyred brave hearts of 1/11 GR included Hav Jhanak Bahadur Rai, Hav BB Dewan, Hav Ganga Ram Rai, Rfn Karna Bahadur Limbu, Rfn Kalu Ram Rai, and Rfn Arun Kumar Rai. Khalubar was eventually captured and Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey with his supreme sacrifice not only set an example of unparalleled bravery but changed the course of the Kargil war. Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, leadership, and devotion to duty.
Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey is survived by his father Shri Gopi Chand Pandey, mother Smt Mohini Pandey, brothers Shri Mohit Kumar Pandey & Shri Manmohan Kumar Pandey, and sister Smt Pratibha Mishra.
singh K
2023 at 5:12 pmlets do our bit by keeping nation clean and show some honestly in day to day life to honour such guys who at heartbeat laid their life for same nation. And we say its painful to follow processes and bribe.
Lets do our bit for our nation. Use desi stuff and see whatever little we can do in our own self. That will be greatest honour we can give to these bravehearts.
Mohan
2023 at 5:14 pmThe Paramvir Chackra award honour itself.Congratulations Jai Hind
manoj kumar
2023 at 5:15 pmjab tak Suraj Chand Rahega captain Manoj Pandey tumhara naam rahega
Ms. R. Priya
2023 at 8:39 pmI wish more information about him was provided here just like shaheed major mohit sharma’s education, hobbies etc., Captain manoj kumar pandey was a self made man coming from a simple family who was very very responsible & mature for his age. He was unstopable in volunteering for all the missions & willingly stayed back in high altitudes despite when his normal tenure was over. He was not only academically good but also a honest person. During kargil war he had written an open letter assuring victory, it is a soldier’s word given to his fellow countrymen. During his childhood he made subscription to a magazine containing series of our patriots thus exhibiting his mindframe to serve our nation very early. He was also very fond of children & was known as pied piper capable of capturing children’s heart. Even after receiving a fatal wound on his forehead in Kargil war, his only focus was in roaring ” na chornu” to his fellow soldiers to not to let go of those Pakistanis. He grew up listening to his mom’s stories on patriots asking her to repeatedly narrate about them. India lost one of the finest soldiers & it is a great loss for all of us Indians. Everytime I hear about Manoj kumar pandey, Arun kheterpal, Sandeep & many others I wish it were me instead of them losing their life. All those who have left us & those who are serving, braving everyday dangers to protect us & our motherland will always remain in our hearts. In true sense they walk where none will walk through with ease at heart & they all are indeed banging the gates of hell to keep our motherland safe. Thank you is a very very small word, gratitude & pride fills my heart for these brave heroes for it is from kindness comes bravery of supreme sacrifice of their life. It is for sons like them it is worth becoming a mother. JAI HIND.
Shiva bhadauriya
2023 at 8:40 pmProud of u sir
Neeta Amol Deshpande
2023 at 8:49 pmI saluted him after listening his story. I cried a lot…..
Jai hind…..
Itsks0907
2023 at 8:51 pmSir, I am making a video through from the content here you provide and others.
Thank you sir for making such type of platform to tribute and remembering them.
Jai Hind.
Balaji
2023 at 8:52 pmProud of you captain…
Mahendra
2023 at 8:53 pmHe is one of our modern time ‘Shiva ji’ who killed the enemy in his womb.
You are our true inspiration of ‘Nation First’.
Samikshya Bhattarai
2023 at 9:03 pmI proud of you sir
Jaba samma hamro desh ma hajur jasto beer hunu huncha taba samma
hamro desh lai kaseile chuna pani sakdeina
Jay hind sir
Prateek Kolhatkar
2023 at 8:54 pmBrave son of motherland.
Poonam Saxena
2023 at 9:02 pmGlorious,very very brave warriors against terrorist.Jai Hind.