Service No : IC-58003Y

Date of Birth : December 11, 1974

Place of birth : Assam

Service : Army

Last Rank : Lieutetant

Unit : 19 Grenadiers

Arm/Regt : The Grenadiers

Operation : Op Vijay

Awards : Sena Medal

Martyrdom : September 27, 1999

Lt Prateek Acharya SM

Lieutenant Prateek Acharya hailed from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, but was born in Assam on 11th December 1974. Son of Shri V N Acharya and Smt Bina Acharya, Lt Prateek had a sister Ruchi as his sibling. He completed his schooling at St Thomas' College and graduated from DBS college in Dehradun. He was bright in academics and was passionate about sports too. He had a keen interest in cricket and would often play gully cricket in Dehradun's by-lanes whenever he found time. He was a compassionate and affable person which endeared him to everyone who came in contact with him. He was a family person too and doted on his parents and sister immensely.

 

His list of friends grew along with his age and it had people from all walks of life including the locality's cobbler too. Having grown up in Dehradun, the home to the prestigious IMA, he had inclination to serve in the Armed Forces right from his growing up years. Eventually he got selected to join the Army and became a commissioned officer on 13 June 1998 at the age of 23 years. He was commissioned into 19 Grenadiers battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and having a glorious history of various battle honours. When the Kargil war started, he was doing his "Young Officers Course" in MHOW (Madhya Pradesh), and desperately wished to be called to the war front, which eventually happened.

 

Chhamb Sector Operation (Op Vijay) : 27 Sept 1999

 

During Sept 1999, Lt Prateek Acharya's unit 19 Grenadiers was deployed in Chhamb sector of Jammu as part of "Operation Vijay".  When Indian Army launched "Op Vijay" in response to the large scale infiltration by Pak forces in J&K, 19 Grenadiers was moved to Chhamb sector of Jammu. Lt Prateek Acharya and his unit troops got involved into thick of operations, immediately on deployment. Though Kargil war officially came to an end on 26 July 1999, border skirmishes and enemy hostile actions continued thereafter too, albeit with less intensity. Lt Prateek Acharya and his troops were maintaining a very high state of alert at all times and giving a befitting reply to intermittent unprovoked cross-border firing.

 

On 27 Sep 1999, Lt Prateek Acharya as platoon commander was stationed on the Line of Control at Pallanwala in Chhamb sector of Jammu. His troops were manning the forward posts in that area on that day, when Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked cross-border firing in the evening.  At around 6:30 pm, when two mortar shells landed near the posts, Lt Prateek immediately swung into action and directed his troops to move into the bunker and prepare for retaliatory action. In the meantime, Lt Prateek  saw one of his soldiers Lance Naik Chauhan Bachu Bhai Govind Bhai rushing to retrieve the platoon telephone set. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lt Prateek pushed him inside a bunker and ran himself to retrieve the set.  After ensuring that his men were safe, when Lt Prateek was about to step inside the bunker, he was directly hit by an 82mm high explosive mortar bomb. It proved fatal for Lt Prateek and he was martyred. Lt Prateek Acharya was a committed soldier and a fine officer who at the age of 24 years made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. He was given the gallantry award, "Sena Medal" posthumously for his immense courage, camaraderie, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.

 

Lt Prateek Acharya is survived by his mother Smt Bina Acharya and sister Smt Ruchi Joshi.

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6 Comments
  • Vineet goyal

    2022 at 9:17 pm Reply

    For any information you can contact
    +919258096476 (captain parteek acharya mother’s number

  • Roma Saklani

    2023 at 7:31 pm Reply

    A truly brave, strong-spirited son of IIndia. He has made Uttarakhand proud. What a grievous loss for all of us.
    You will be really missed, dearest Prateek.

  • Sirish Chandra Hatwal

    2023 at 7:33 pm Reply

    Lt. Prateek Acharya was very compassionate and kind hearted man. He was true leader in every sense. We are very proud of him.

  • Lt Gen Chandra Shekhar,PVSM AVSM.

    2023 at 7:47 pm Reply

    Salute to gallant captain Prateek Acharya,who laid down his life in the Palanwala Sector,Chhamb ,on 27 Sep1999, while trying to rescue his comrade soldiers of 19 Grenadines, from ,enemy shelling.In the process,he sacrificed his life while trying to rescue them,This action was beyond the call of duty in the highest traditions of Indian army.
    As the then,Vice chief of the Army,I was informed of his gallant action.Prateek at the young age of 24 years,gave the supreme sacrifice and brought laurels to his family and to 19Grenadiers.

  • Lt Gen Chandra Shekhar,PVSM AVSM.

    2023 at 7:54 pm Reply

    I have known Lt Prateek Acharya,a young dedicated, highly committed officer, from Dehradun.
    His gallant action and supreme sacrifice to save his comrades of 19 Grenadines is of exceptional order.
    His gallant deed was brought to my notice in the normal channel by the formation concerned.My salute to the gallant captain

  • Vivek S Joshi

    2023 at 8:52 pm Reply

    Very proud of Montu, my martyred brother in law! Ruchi, my wife remembers his love and affection to his family and friends! I had the privilege to see his pipping ceremony at IMA at Doon, whilst i was engaged to Ruchi . Months later, while he visited us at 25, Safdarjung Road , my Dad’s official residence as Vice Chief Of Army Staff!, i got to know him even more ! Miss his amiable nature ! Om Shanti !

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