Sep Pabale Nitin M

Sepoy Pabale Nitin Maruti hailed from Patethan village in Daund tehsil of Pune district in Maharashtra and joined the Indian Army after completing his school education, driven by a deep sense of patriotism and dedication to the nation. He was inducted into the 16 Maratha Light Infantry (16 MLI), a battalion with a distinguished legacy of courage and service within the storied Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, one of the Indian Army's oldest and most decorated regiments.

In 1993, 16 MLI was deployed in Nagaland to counter the insurgency that had gripped the region. On December 20, while part of a convoy traveling along the Mokokchung-Mariani Road, the battalion came under a meticulously planned ambush by a large group of insurgents wielding advanced automatic weapons. The ambush unfolded at approximately 8:40 a.m. and was marked by intense enemy fire.

During 1993, Sep Pabale Nitin's unit was deployed in Nagaland, as part of "Operation Orchid" to counter the insurgency that had gripped the region deeply affected by insurgency, to maintain peace and ensure the Army’s dominance in the area. On December 20, 1993, he was part of a military convoy led by Col N Jayachandran Nair, tasked with navigating the critical Mokokchung-Mariani Road. This road was a lifeline for logistical and operational purposes but was fraught with danger due to frequent militant activities.

The convoy’s mission was to traverse the challenging route, marked by dense forests, steep gradients, and sharp turns, while maintaining operational readiness. At approximately 8:40 a.m., as the convoy approached a particularly vulnerable stretch, it came under a sudden and well-coordinated ambush. Concealed insurgents, numbering around 100, launched a fierce assault from their fortified positions on the hillside. Armed with sophisticated automatic weapons, the militants rained down a barrage of gunfire, exploiting their elevated and camouflaged positions to gain a tactical advantage.

In the face of this intense and overwhelming attack, Sep Pabale Nitin demonstrated remarkable courage and composure. Fully aware of the gravity of the situation, he fought back with unwavering determination, striving to protect his comrades and repel the ambush. Despite the numerical disadvantage and the relentless onslaught, he stood firm, embodying the valor and resilience that are hallmarks of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. In this valiant effort, Sep Pabale Nitin made the supreme sacrifice, laying down his life in service to the nation. The ambush claimed the lives of 13 other brave soldiers, including Col N Jayachandran Nair, Nb Sub Bhosale MS, Hav Shedge Laxman S, Nk Nikam Balu S, L/Nk Chougule JR, L/Nk AG Jadhav, Sep Ramesh S Kakade, Sep Jadhav Gorakh N, Sep Patil Mahadev R, Sep Kulkarni NP, Sep Surender, Sep Patil Subhash S, and Sep Deepak Galande. Sep Pabale Nitin M displayed outstanding courage and determination during the battle and laid down his life in the line of his duty.