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.
Anonymous
2023 at 9:00 pmSupreme salute to supreme sacrifice
Anonymous
2023 at 9:05 pmWishing some day I too can do the same sacrifice if necessary for my motherland..like u sir!!!!?! deeply wish that u had been alive to see how all Indians appreciates u..u were more than a kind human..
AMRESH KUMAR
2023 at 9:06 pmYOU ARE A LEGEND ARMY MAN
I SALUTE YOU
YOU ARE UNFORGETTABLE FOR YOUR BRAVERY
prashant tiwari
2023 at 9:06 pmwe all are living our life and dreams just due to you and indian defence
proud to be an indian
jai hind
lakshya jiwani
2023 at 9:07 pmi am very proud of him
Vijay pandey
2023 at 9:07 pmJai hind .
U r the my heroes
Valsan Kunnath
2023 at 9:08 pmBig Salute to the Brave Son of Bharath Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey – Param Vir Chakra
“Duty beyond Death” “Soldiers go beyond call of Duty”
You proved the patriotism in the most inspiring way to the Nation ( You kill the Death )
You will never be forgotten and always be Saluted for your Indomitable Courage, Conspicuous Bravery and Supreme Sacrifice.
“Some goals are so worthy, It’s glorious even to fail” – Capt.M.K.Pandy- PVC
Gayatri pawar
2023 at 9:08 pmShahedoo ke chitaoo pe lagenge har baras mele,
Watan pe jaan dene walo ka baaki yahi ek nishaaan hoga.
Yadvendra chaubey
2023 at 9:09 pmKuchh lamhe mere desh ke itihaas me darz ho gaye.
Jo lade, jo Mare wo shaheed ho gaye. Hamare kal ke liye wo apna aaj taj gaye.
Sadar naman. Ashrupurit shradhanjali.
Manjula seth
2023 at 9:10 pmIt is a historic day that crowns the sacrifices of the martyrs. I salute the Indian Army and the families of the soldiers who laid their lives so that we could live peacefully. Their memory shall always be etched in our hearts . Jai Hind