Rifleman Alok Rao SC

Rifleman Alok Rao hailed from Rasia village of Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh. After completing his initial education, he joined the army in the year 2021 at the age of 20 years. He was recruited into 18 Assam Rif Battalion of Assam Rifles, the oldest para-military force of India with its headquarters at Shillong. 

Manipur Operation: 10 May 2023

During May 2023, Rfn Alok Rao was serving with the 18 Assam Battalion deployed in the North East. On 03 May 2023, ethnic riots erupted in Manipur and the situation quickly deteriorated in the entire state. To control the worsening situation, columns of 18 Assam Rifles were deployed. Rifleman Alok Rao was part of an Internal Security column deployed in the most sensitive area in the Senapati district of Manipur. As the situation demanded, the column was tasked to occupy the highest tactical feature overlooking the villages involved in violent activities. On 10 May 2023, Rfn Alok Rao was deployed in the Light Machine Gun Bunker at the feature. 

At around 1130 hours, 10 - 12 suspected armed insurgents were seen moving to his position. Rfn Alok Rao realising an imminent danger to his position and his comrades challenged the armed group, who opened fire without warning. He immediately swung into action and effectively returned fire in which two/three insurgents sustained injuries. As a result, the insurgents were forced to flee and an imminent danger to the troops was avoided. However, in the ensuing firing, Rfn Alok Rao also sustained a gunshot wound injuring him seriously. He was evacuated to the Military Hospital in Manipur by helicopter and then to Command Hospital in Kolkata. However, on 17 May 2023, he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Rfn Alok Rao was a brave and motivated soldier, who laid down his life at a very early age of 22 years in the line of his duty. Rfn Alok Rao was given the nation’s third-highest gallantry award “Shaurya Chakra” on 26 Jan 2024, for his courage, unyielding fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice.

The citation for "Shaurya  Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 03 May 2023, ethnic riots erupted in Manipur and the situation quickly deteriorated in the entire state. To control the worsening situation, columns of 18 Assam Rifles were deployed. Rifleman Alok Rao was part of an Internal Security column deployed in the most sensitive area in the district. The Column was tasked to occupy the highest tactical feature overlooking the villages involved in violent activities.

On 10 May 2023, Rifleman Alok Rao was deployed in the Light Machine Gun Bunker. At around 1130 hours, 10 - 12 suspected armed insurgents were seen moving to his position. Rifleman Alok Rao realising an imminent danger to his position and to his colleagues challenged the armed group who opened fire without warning. He therefore effectively returned fire in which two/three insurgents sustained injuries and were forced to flee thereby saving his colleagues. However, in the ensuing firing, Rifleman Alok Rao also sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to the Military Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

For his exemplary courage, bravery, and immaculate application of intelligence during the operation, and utter disregard to his personnel safety,