Sep Lalgaizuala SC

Sepoy Lalgaizuala was born on 30th November 1978 to Shri Rothanga and Smt Hrangseli, in Ngathal village in Lamka Tehsil of Churachandpur District in Manipur. Inspired by the values of service and patriotism, he aspired to join the armed forces from an early age. At the age of 19, after completing his school education, Sep Lalgaizuala joined the Indian Army on 2nd July 1997. He was inducted into the 1st Battalion of the Assam Regiment, one of the most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army. Known for its indomitable spirit, bravery, and a strong tradition of valour, the Assam Regiment was originally raised on 15th June 1941 in Shillong. Over the years, it earned a formidable reputation and was awarded Battle Honours for its resolute defence during the Battle of Chamb in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Following his initial military training, Sepoy Lalgaizuala served in various high-risk and operationally critical areas across the country. His service record includes deployments in the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir, regions that have long faced insurgent threats and security challenges. He participated in numerous important military operations, consistently demonstrating courage and dedication to duty.

Counter-Insurgency Operation (J& K): 08 Jul 2001

During 2001, Sep Lalgaizuala‘s unit 1 Assam battalion was deployed in J&K. The unit troops were engaged in operations against the terrorists on a regular basis as the unit's area of responsibility (AOR) was active with militancy. The volatility of its AOR demanded 'high alert' at all times on the part of the troops. The area was also prone to infiltration, which necessitated regular armed patrols to check any infiltration from across the border. On the night of 08 July 2001, Sepoy Lalngaizuala was part of a team from Alpha Company that was tasked with laying a close cordon around a house suspected to be occupied by terrorists. As part of the cordon operation, he was strategically positioned on the top floor of a nearby house, which provided a vantage point to dominate the target location.

At approximately 0230 hours, under the cover of darkness, terrorists managed to infiltrate the ground floor of the very house that Sepoy Lalngaizuala and his team were occupying. On spotting the soldiers, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, initiating a fierce firefight. Without hesitation, Sepoy Lalngaizuala took control of the staircase leading to the upper floor and, using his Light Machine Gun (LMG), successfully held off the terrorists, preventing them from advancing. For six long hours, he maintained this position, steadfastly repelling repeated attempts by the terrorists to climb up and attack the team. As the situation escalated, the terrorists—realizing they were surrounded by Army soldiers outside—attempted to eliminate the soldiers inside the house to break the cordon from within. The situation became dire as the team began running critically low on ammunition. In this moment of extreme adversity, Sepoy Lalngaizuala displayed exceptional courage and presence of mind. Voluntarily stepping forward, he offered to assist in extricating his besieged comrades.

Demonstrating unmatched bravery, he launched a close-quarter assault on the terrorists. In the intense encounter that followed, he killed one terrorist, sustaining injuries in the process. Despite his wounds, he continued the assault, lobbing a grenade at the second terrorist, grievously injuring him before neutralizing him completely. Through his fearless and selfless actions, Sepoy Lalngaizuala succeeded in eliminating two heavily armed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. His extraordinary gallantry and sacrifice enabled the safe extrication of seven fellow soldiers. In the course of this heroic act, Sepoy Lalngaizuala made the supreme sacrifice, laying down his life in the line of duty. Sep Lalgaizuala was posthumously awarded the esteemed "Shaurya Chakra" on 26 January 2002. 

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

On 08 July 2001, No 4365641X Sep Lalngaizuala was part of A Coy Cdr’s team in close cordon of house occupied by terrorists. He was on top floor of the house dominating target house. At about 0230 hrs terrorists sneaked into ground floor of same house. Seeing the soldiers in the house, the terrorists opened  fire indiscriminately. He immediately covered the stairs, with his LMG and kept them at bay for six hrs. Realizing that the house being surrounded by the Army, the terrorists decided to eliminate the team inside the house. To complicate matters, the A company team was running out of ammunition. Sep Lalngaizuala volunteered to help extricate the company from the house. He charged and killed one of the terrorists at close quarters, getting injured himself in the process. He then charged the second terrorist, lobbing a grenade at him and grievously injuring him. He managed to neutralized the two LET terrorists and sacrificed his life to save his seven comrades and lost his life in the process.

Sep Lalngaizuala displayed the most conspicuous bravery and made the supreme sacrifice of his own life for that of his comrades, for which he was awarded SHAURYA CHAKRA (Posthumously) on 26 Jan 2002.