Rifleman Kulbushan Manta SC

Rifleman Kulbushan Manta hailed from Gonth village of Majhauli Panchayat in the Kupvi area of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. Son of Shri Pratap and Smt Durma Devi, he was born in the year 1996 and had three sisters Rekha, Kiran, and Rajni as his siblings. Like many youngsters in Himachal Pradesh, he too wanted to serve in the Army since his childhood.  Eventually, after completing his school education, he joined the Indian army in 2014 at the age of 18 years. He was recruited into the 18th JAK Rif Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and rich history of various battle honours.

After serving for a few years, he got married to Ms Neetu and the couple was blessed with a son. By 2022, he had completed around eight years of service and developed into a tough and devoted soldier. After serving with his parent unit Rfn Kulbushan Manta was later deputed to serve with the 52 RR battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations. 

Baramulla Operation (J&K): 26/27 Oct  2022

During Oct 2022, Rfn Kulbushan Manta’s unit 52 RR battalion was deployed in the Baramulla district of J&K. The LOC was highly active and volatile where cease-fire violations occurred very often and without any warning. It was also used by the terrorists for infiltration with the connivance of Pakistani security forces. The infiltration by the terrorists was invariably attempted under the cover of artillery fire or with the help of the Border Action Team(BAT). Based on the information from the intelligence sources, about the presence of 4-5 hardcore terrorists in the Washran village of Baramulla district in J&K, the security forces launched a search and cordon operation on 26th Oct.  It was a joint operation comprising soldiers of the Indian Army from 52 RR and J&K Police personnel. Rfn Kulbushan Manta was part of the team that was assigned the task of conducting this operation. 

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

Rifleman Kulbushan Manta was deployed in Operation RAKSHAK (Jammu andKashmir) and was part of joint Jungle operation which was launched in Baramulla district of North Kashmir in October 2022. Based on human intelligence received from Jammu and Kashmir Police, the search party led by the Scout Rifleman Kulbushan Manta reached in close proximity of two terrorists. Sensing the threat, terrorists made a desperate attempt to flee. Rifleman Kulbushan Manta immediately swung into action and attempted to capture one of the terrorist alive. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he overpowered the terrorist. The nsecond terrorist frightened by the bold action opened up indiscriminate fire in which Rifleman Kulbushan Manta received a gunshot wound in his leg. Regardless of the grievous injury, he attempted to chase the fleeing terrorist and engaged him with heavy fire thus saving lives of own troops from the terrorists’ fire. As a result of this gallant action, one terrorist was captured alive in this operation while Rifleman Kulbushan Manta succumbed to the injuries.

For his exemplary courage, immense tactical acumen, audacity and an indomitable spirit in the face of danger, Rifleman Kulbushan Manta is awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)”.