Lance Naik Albert Ekka PVC

Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born on December 27, 1942, in Zari Village, located in Gumla district of Bihar (now in Jharkhand). He was the son of Sri Julius Ekka and Smt Mariam Ekka. From a young age, L/Nk Albert Ekka displayed a strong sense of adventure and a deep interest in serving the nation. His desire to join the Indian Army was fueled by his admiration for soldiers and their valour. His dream became a reality when, on December 27, 1962, at the age of 20, he was recruited into the 14th Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards, an elite mechanized infantry regiment known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle exploits. Apart from his military aspirations, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was also a keen sportsman. He particularly excelled in hockey, showcasing his agility, teamwork, and determination—qualities that would later define his approach to combat. His disciplined nature and commitment to physical fitness made him an exceptional soldier, ready to take on any challenge that came his way.

By 1971, Lance Naik Albert Ekka had completed nine years of service in the Indian Army. During this period, he had been actively involved in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast region, gaining valuable combat experience in difficult terrains. His rigorous training and exposure to real battlefield conditions sharpened his tactical skills and resilience. When the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 broke out, the 14 Guards Battalion, to which Lance Naik Albert Ekka belonged, was deployed in the eastern theater of operations. His unit played a pivotal role in the Battle of Gangasagar, a strategically significant confrontation that was crucial in securing India’s advance into East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The battle aimed to dismantle heavily fortified enemy positions, which were obstructing the Indian Army's advance toward its final objectives. As the war escalated, Lance Naik Albert Ekka's bravery and selfless devotion to duty would soon etch his name in history as one of India’s most valiant soldiers. 

Indo Pak War: 03 Dec 1971

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, the 14 Guards Battalion was assigned a critical mission—to capture a heavily fortified Pakistani position at Gangasagar, located 6 km west of Agartala in Brahmanbaria district of what was then East Pakistan. This enemy stronghold was strategically significant as it sat on a major railway link to Dhaka. The capture of Gangasagar was vital for the Indian Army’s advance toward Akhaura, an important step on the road to Dhaka. However, the enemy had anticipated an attack and had fortified the position with heavy defenses and extensive minefields. On the night of December 3, 1971, the 14 Guards launched an assault on the enemy positions. Lance Naik Albert Ekka was part of the left forward company leading the charge. As the Indian troops advanced, they faced intense shelling and relentless small-arms fire from the enemy. Despite the hostile conditions, they pressed forward, engaging in bitter hand-to-hand combat with the entrenched Pakistani troops.

During the battle, Lance Naik Ekka noticed an enemy light machine gun (LMG) positioned in a bunker, inflicting heavy casualties on his comrades. Unmindful of his personal safety, he charged the bunker with exceptional courage. In a fierce encounter, he bayoneted two enemy soldiers and successfully neutralized the LMG, securing the position. However, in the process, he sustained serious injuries. Despite his wounds, he refused to retreat. Embodying the motto of his regiment, the Brigade of the Guards, “Pahla Hamesha Pahla” (“First Always First”), he continued advancing alongside his company, clearing bunker after bunker with remarkable determination. As the company reached the northern end of the objective, the enemy opened fire with a medium machine gun (MMG) from the second storey of a fortified building, inflicting heavy casualties and halting the Indian advance. Recognizing the grave threat, Lance Naik Albert Ekka once again rose to the occasion.

Despite his grievous injuries, he crawled forward under intense enemy fire, making his way to the enemy position. With precise aim, he lobbed a grenade into the bunker, instantly killing one soldier and injuring another. However, the MMG continued to fire, endangering the mission. Undeterred, Lance Naik Ekka scaled the sidewall of the building, entered the bunker, and bayoneted the remaining enemy soldier, finally silencing the machine gun. Lance Naik Albert Ekka’s heroic actions saved countless lives, enabling his company to secure the objective and drive the enemy out of Gangasagar. The fall of Gangasagar forced the enemy to retreat from Akhaura, allowing the Indian Army to continue its victorious march toward Dhaka. However, in the course of this valiant assault, Lance Naik Albert Ekka succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His fearless spirit, unmatched determination, and unwavering devotion to duty played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the Eastern Sector during the war. For his extraordinary gallantry and selfless sacrifice, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded the "Param Vir Chakra", India’s highest military honour. His courage and heroism remain an eternal inspiration for generations of soldiers and patriots alike. 

Lance Naik Albert Ekka is survived by his son Shri Vincent Ekka.

The citation for the Param Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

Lance Naik Albert Ekka was in the left forward company of a battalion of the Brigade of Guards during their attack on the enemy defences at Gangasagar on the Eastern front. This was a well-fortified position held in strength by the enemy. The assaulting troops were subjected to intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire, but they charged onto the objective and were locked in bitter hand-to-hand combat. Lance Naik Albert Ekka noticed an enemy light machine-gun (LMG) inflicting heavy casualties on his company. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker, bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the LMG. Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades through the mile-deep objective, clearing bunker after bunker with undaunted courage. Towards the northern end of the objective one enemy medium machine-gun (MMG) opened up from the second storey of a well-fortified building inflicting heavy casualties and holding up the attack. Once again this gallant soldier, without a thought for his personal safety, despite his serious injury and the heavy volume of enemy fire, crawled forward till he reached the building and lobbed a grenade into the bunker killing one enemy soldier and injuring the other. The MMG, however, continued to fire. With outstanding courage and determination, Lance Naik Albert Ekka scaled a side wall and entering the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier who was still firing and thus silenced the machine-gun, saving further casualties to his company and ensuring the success of the attack. In this process however, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective. In this action, Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed the most conspicuous valour and determination and made the supreme sacrifice in the best traditions of the Indian Army.

• Local villagers led by Bhuban Das had erected and protected a small memorial at Sripalli village in memory of the 11 soldiers who gave their lives in the battle at Gangasagar. Lance Naik Ekka was then 28 years old and had served for nine years in the army.
• Bangladesh conferred on him the Friends of Liberation War honour for his “outstanding support and sacrifice to the 1971 war as a foreigner”.
• The Army Postal Service issued a special cover on 03 Dec 1978 in the honour of Lance Naik Albert Ekka.
• A commemorative postage stamp was issued in his honour by the Government of India on the occasion of 50th Republic Day in 2000.
• A major road intersection in Ranchi has been named as Albert Ekka Chowk and his life-size statue also has been erected at that place.

• His wife, Smt Balamdina, visited the burial site of Lance Naik Albert Ekka ,44 years after his martyrdom in Sripalli village in Dukli, 15 Kms from Agartala. After collecting his soil she had said “I have collected the holy soil from my husband’s graveyard and want to build a memorial in my Jari village so that people remember the sacrifice of Albert Ekka forever. I am very happy and all my doubts over the death are over,”.