Sepoy Rabi Kumar Deb Barma VrC

Sepoy Rabi Kumar Deb Barma was born on 20 September 1965 in Sipai Para village, in Mohanpur Block of the West Tripura district in Tripura. He was the son of Shri Sukroy Deb Barma and Smt Agamti Deb Barma. From an early age, Sep Rabi Kumar Deb Barma exhibited qualities of discipline, courage, and a strong sense of duty—traits that would later define his career in the armed forces. After completing his school education, he decided to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army on 17 Aug 1983. He was inducted into the 4 Assam Battalion of the Assam Regiment, an infantry regiment known for its fearless warriors and distinguished service record. The Assam Regiment, which was raised on 15th June 1941 in Shillong, has earned immense respect over the decades for its exemplary performance in various operations. Notably, the regiment was awarded Battle Honours for its valiant defence during the Battle of Chamb in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, underscoring its combat prowess and unyielding spirit.

Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka): 3rd Jul 1988

During 1988, Sepoy Rabi Kumar Dev Barma's unit 4 Assam was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of Operation Pawan. In Jul 1988, he was serving in No. 12 Platoon of Delta Company during a battalion-level search operation in the Viswamadu area of Sri Lanka. The operation, spanning from 2nd July to 3rd July 1988, was aimed at flushing out militant elements in a region known for its frequent insurgent activity and difficult jungle terrain. On 3rd July 1988, Sep Rabi Kumar’s platoon was specifically tasked with searching areas astride the road leading to Mullaitivu, a critical and strategically sensitive stretch that passed through dense jungle foliage. Intelligence reports had indicated a high probability of militant presence in the vicinity. As the platoon proceeded with their mission, navigating through the thick undergrowth, they suddenly came under heavy and unprovoked fire from militants using AK-47s, G-3 rifles, and hand grenades. The intensity of the ambush was so overwhelming that the point section of the platoon could not even occupy defensive positions to return fire. In the initial burst, three soldiers were hit and temporarily incapacitated.

Amid the chaos and confusion, Sepoy Rabi Kumar Dev Barma demonstrated remarkable presence of mind and courage under fire. He saw his fellow soldiers fall in front of him, but did not lose his composure. Quickly assessing the situation, he identified the approximate position of the ambush, which was manned by an estimated 18 to 20 heavily armed militants. Displaying exceptional alertness and gallantry, he immediately went to ground and began crawling towards the enemy position, closing in despite the ongoing threat to his life. His fearless action served as an inspiration to his section mates, who were motivated to follow him. Once he reached a vantage point close to the militants, Sep Rabi Kumar launched a direct charge, engaging them in close combat. Firing from the hip position, he killed one militant on the spot and wounded another, breaking the momentum of the enemy’s assault. His bold offensive, combined with the support of his section, unnerved the militants, who abandoned their well-prepared positions and fled the scene in disarray.

Though the action led to the successful disruption of the ambush and saved many lives, Sep Rabi Kumar Dev Barma was fatally injured during the encounter. He laid down his life before he could even 23, in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, displaying selflessness, and unmatched bravery, in a moment of grave danger. His courage allowed his platoon to regroup, retaliate, and inflict substantial casualties on the enemy. In recognition of his outstanding gallantry, and supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Sepoy Rabi Kumar Dev Barma was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra" on 26th January 1990.

Sepoy Rabi Kumar Dev Barma is survived by his father Shri Shri Sukroy Deb Barma.

The citation for the "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

Sep Rabi Kumar Dev Barma was the Rifleman of No 12 Pl of D Coy during a Battalion search operation in area Viswadadu in from 02 Jul 1988 to 03 Jul 1988. On 03 Jul 1988, his platoon was tasked to carry out search of area astride road Mullaitivu. The area was full of very dense jungle and was a suspicious area where militant presence was reported very often. When his Pl was carrying out their test arduously, the Pl came under a very heavy fire of AK-47, G-3 and hand grenades. The fire was so intense, that before the point section of the Pl could occupy a posn from where they could return fire, three personnel were hit by militant bullets and were incapacitated temporarily. Sep Rabi Kumar Dev Barma who saw his comrades falling in front of him, did not loose his cool. He observed the position from where such a heavy fire was coming and saw 18 to 20 militants who were heavily  armed, treacherously fg at the Pl. He displaying high degree of alertness and gallantry, immediately went to the ground and crawled towards the militants. His action motivated other of his comrades to follow him. On nearing the militants he fearlessly charged on to the militants along with his sec mates. The lethal fire he brought down on the militants from the hip position, killed one of the militant dead and injured another one. The charge by the sec unnerved the militants who immediately evicted their posn and ran for their lives.

In this op Sep Rabi Kumar Dev Barman showed outstanding gallantry, initiative and alertness. It was due to his alertness and initiative that his pl could outflank the large number of militants and inflict cas on them. He sacrificed his life for the safety of the lives of his comrade in the best tradition of our Army. For his gallant action, Sep Rabi Kumar Dev Barma was Awarded VrC during the OP PAWAN, Sri Lanka (Posthumously) on 26 Jan 1990.