Major David Manlun KC

Citation for the kirti Chakra Awarded to him reads:-

Based on a specific intelligence developed by Major David Manlun, an operation was launched in Northern Nagaland in June 2017. During the said operation at around 2200 hrs, contact with a group of militants was established by the column Major David Manlun.

A fierce firefight ensued immediately, wherein the militants lobbed grenades towards the position of Major David Manlun injuring him and three other ranks. Despite bearing the brunt of militant’s fire and grenade blast Major David Manlun with utter disregard to his personal safety moved forward and opened fire from close range to pin down the militants, thus preventing them from causing further casualty to own troops and eliminated three militants. Major David Manlun succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. The killed militants were hardcore cadres of ULF(I) and were involved in numerous incidents of violence in Upper Assam.

Major David Manlun displayed conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order and made supreme sacrifice in fighting with the militants.

Siampu Manlun, brother of Maj David Manlun, paid tribute to his brother on his “Day of Martyrdom” on 06 Jun 2017…..

Maj David Manlun or “uvid” as I would call him, was my best friend and guide whom I looked up to, in every aspect of my life. Today, on the 3rd anniversary of his supreme sacrifice I miss him, but at the same time a stream of memories is flooding my mind. While growing up, we three brothers and our youngest little sister would always be together and bonded very well.

uvid’s naughty tricks and the warnings of our exasperated mother still bring smile on my face though at times with a tinge of sadness. The crazy and unforgettable memories of growing up years with ‘uvid’ are many but some special ones include wrestling (WWE style), playing Kungfu Jackie Chan and Jet Li style and riding wooden trolley made from ball bearings. However as we grew older our ‘getting together’ became less frequent as my eldest brother Jimmy (U’ei) joined the Army and so did ‘uvid’ followed by our sister who got married to an Army officer. With Dad having retired from the Army, we became truly a “Fauji Parivar”.

uvid’s enthusiasm and free spirit was contagious, making those around him feel good and happy-just like him. Through the years, uvid became an inspiration for me. I still remember his words which he learnt in the Army and would often quote, “it is all about your mentality, physical strength might give up but it is your mentality that will keep you going.” His hard work and dynamism would always make him the “first in everything” in our family. He was interested in everything – be it sports, music and adventurous outings and sports. He carried his enthusiasm and leadership quality everywhere and gave his hundred percent to his every commitment. Following this very path he laid down his life in the line of his duty and received the gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra”.

I had never thought that my brother would leave us so soon. Our Mom still feels that he would come back one day and take the family out for dinner as he always did. I have noticed Mom secretly crying, seeing his friends and at times looking out of the window and staring expectantly till her eyes well up with strain. We undoubtedly miss him a lot but at the same time we take immense pride in being called the family of Maj David Manlun – the national ‘Hero’. 

Siampu Manlun