Cpt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC

Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (25 June 1975, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh – 2/3 July 1999, Kashmir),was an officer of the Indian Army of the regiment 1/11 Gurkha Rifles, posthumously awarded the India’s highest military honour, Param Vir Chakra for his audacious courage and leadership during adverse times. He died during the attack on Jubar Top, Khalubar Hills in Batalik Sector, Kargil.Personal lifeIC 56959W Lieutenant Manoj Pandey, PVC belonged to Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Shri Gopi Chand Pandey, a small time businessman living in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He was eldest in his family. He was educated at Uttar Pradesh Sainik School Lucknow. He had a keen interest in sports with boxing and body building in particular. He passed out from National Defence Academy in 90th course and stayed in MIKE squadron. He wanted to join Gurkha Rifles and got commissioned in the 1/11 Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army.Prior to his selection, during his Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the interviewer asked him, “Why you want to join the Army?” He immediately replied, “I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.” True to his words, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey did win the country’s highest gallantry honour but posthumously.KargilHe forced back the intruders on June 11, 1999 at Batalik Sector in the Kargil war. He led his men to capture the Jubar top which was considered as important due to its strategic location. Quickly sizing up the situation, the young officer led his platoon along a narrow, treacherous ridge that led to the enemy position. While still short of the objective, the enemy fired upon the Indian soldiers effectively stalling the Indian attack. Displaying great courage, he surged ahead of his troops and charged at the enemy with a full throated battle cry through a hail of bullets.

Death:-

Fearlessly assaulting the first enemy position, he killed two enemy personnel and destroyed the second position by killing two more. He was injured on the shoulder and legs while clearing the third position. Undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth position urging his men and destroyed the same with a grenade, even as he got a fatal burst on his forehead.

His last words were “Na chhodnu” (“Don’t Spare Them” in Nepali language). This singular daredevil act of Lieutenant Pandey provided the critical firm base for the companies, which finally led to capture of Khalubar. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, thus, displayed most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Legacy:-

Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest medal for gallantry, posthumously. His father, Mr. Gopichand Pandey, received the award from the President of India on the 52nd anniversary of Indian independence. Manoj Pandey is considered a martyr for his sacrifice to his country. He remains as a role model to people everywhere.

The Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) designed and constructed an apartment complex for veterans in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, and named it for Pandey as Manoj Vihar. The army quarters near the Cardio Thoracic Center(CTC) hospital in Pune is named after Martyr Capt Manoj Pandey as ‘Capt. Manoj Pandey Enclave’ The National Defence Academy named the science block as the ‘Manoj Pandey Block’.

His Diary:-

Manoj used to maintain a personal dairy, where he penned down everything he learnt. In his personal diary he wrote “Some goals are so worthy, it’s glorious even to fail”. On several instances, he poured his heart out. The poetry he wrote in the memory of his doting mother read: “She is the star which shines brightly in the darkness, some one who will always give and bless.”

Just below the poem, are the four lines written in bold letters, which shows the metal, out of which Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey’s Param Vir Chakra was carved: “If death strikes before I prove my blood, I promise (swear), I will kill death.”

In Film:-

He was portrayed by Ajay Devgan in the film LOC Kargil.