Showing posts with label gorkha army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gorkha army. Show all posts

Rifleman Nehal Gurung Martyred in J&K

8:12 PM
Rifleman Nehal Gurung laid down his life in the line of duty in Keran sector, Jammu & Kashmir in an landmine explosion near Line of Control (LOC) on Saturday. In the other explosion, a soldier identified as Abhishek Chetri sustained multiple splinter injuries and has been hospitalised.

On 25th of August 2018, Nehal and his platoon were on a routine patrol, when an IED blast caused him grievous injuries. He was immediately evacuated to Srinagar, but sadly he couldn’t be saved.

According to the official a landmine blast took place near Balbir Post in Keran sector in the early morning today when army men were conducting routine patrol. In the blast, Rifleman Nehal Gurung sustained critical injuries and was evacuated to army hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed to injuries.

Army has planted landmines at several places along the LoC to prevent infiltration of militants and Border Action Team (BAT) attacks by Pakistani troops. Meanwhile, a Special Police Officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police posted at Police Station Shopian in south Kashmir fled from the police station along with an AK-47 rifle today.

Rfn Bikas Gurung martyred in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir

4:15 PM

Son of the soil Indian Gorkha Rfn Bikas Gurung Indian Army got martyred during ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera area of Jammu & Kashmir today.

Bikash was a Gorkha Jawan From Manipur.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of mortars on routine Indian Army patrol, 700 metres inside Indian territory in Naushera sector along the Line of Control (LoC) Saturday morning," a senior army officer told PTI.

In the exchange of fire, Rifleman Bikas Gurung of 2/1 Gorka Rifles was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries. The 21-year-old soldier belonged to Khunka Khuki village of Manipur, and is survived by his mother.

May his soul rest in peace and may God give strength and courage to his family and friends.

RIP Brother

Jai Hind Jai Gorkha

Gorkha Regiment : The legendary badass warriors

6:45 PM
Writes Naba Raj Chetri

“Better to die than to be a coward" is the motto of the world famous Gorkha army, whose might and valour has transcended boundaries, but what do we really know about the gorkhas, lets try to find out.

Origins
Historically the term ‘Gorkha and Gorkhali” is derived from the hill town and district of Gorkha from where the “Kingdom of Gorkhasthan” expanded. The Gurkhas introduction to the British Army begins in 1814 during the Anglo-Nepalese war.Though the British were militarily successful, attempts to annex Nepal failed and the hostilities ended with the signing of the Sugauli Treaty. The British were so impressed with the Gurkhas fighting abilities, their loyalty and ferocity that they later encouraged them to volunteer. Gurkha troops then fought for the East India Company in its wars in the subcontinent.  The Gorkhas became an integral part of pre-independence British army. From then on, Gorkhas have been a part of Afghan Wars, Indian Rebellion of 1857, both world wars (More than 200,000 fought in both world wars, 43,000 of which lost their lives) and other United Nations peace keeping missions in Lebanon and Sierra Leone too.
British Gurkhas
The very first Gorkha regiments were raised by British to serve in British Indian army. After India’s Independence, six regiments, the 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR, 8 GR and 9 GR were retained in the Indian Army, while 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th joined the Brigade of Gorkhas in the British Army. Another regiment was raised by the Indian Army, the 11 Gorkha, to accommodate the soldiers who refused to be transferred to the British Army.

Currently, the Indian army is indebted to the service of 40,000 brave Gorkha soldiers in 42 different battalions of 7 regiments. One of the most famous platoon of Gorkhas, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles is one of the most decorated with 11 vir Chakras, 2 Maha Vir Chakras, 3 Ashok Chakras and 1 Param Vir Chakra. The stories of its Param Vir Chakra winner Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey are a case study in their glorious history of courageous war footings.​

Another famous battalion of Gorkhas is the third battalion of the 4 Gorkha Rifles which was instrumental in Operation Meghdoot in Siachen. The 8 Gorkha Rifles are also have a glorious past as they produced one of the only two Field Marshals for India – Sam Manekshaw. India’s current chief of army staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, is also from the Gorkha Regiment which is a testament of the most incredible services of Gorkhas.

The Gorkha Brigade
Facts:
i) Gorkhas has been instrumental in all Indian victories in every battle since 1948 till now.The character played by Ajay Devgan in the film LOC Kargil  (Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC awardee) was a gorkhali of 1/11 regiment.

ii) Officers in the Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army have to learn the Gorkhali language to be able to interact with their men in their native tongue.

iii) Recently a battalion comprising entirely of Indian Gorkhas was set up, this is the 1st time a new gorkha battalion have come up in 50 years. The Sixth Battalion of the First Gorkha Rifles (6/1GR), christened  "Kanchi Paltan" has been raised at Sabathu in the Shivalik foothills near Shimla, that houses the 14 Gorkha Training Centre.

iv) “If a man says he‘s not afraid of dying, he’s either lying or he’s a Gorkha.”This quote by Sam Manekshaw, Indian Army’s first Field Marshal, aptly describes what it means to be a Gorkha.

v) The queen has two personal Gorkha officers who directly attend official state and key events with the queen. They’ve been present in all state affairs since the Gorkha’s introduction during queen Victoria’s reign.

vi) Dalbeer Singh Suhag the current chief of army staff is also from the Gorkha regiment, he was comissoned in 4/5GR in 1974, and according to the traditions of the 5th GR wears his head gear with the strap below the lower lip. Other regiments wear chin straps below the jaw.
An interesting account need to be told here about the chin strip---
When the Gorkhas joined the British army they proved to be slight primitive in war, they always screamed and then charged at the enemies, which was harmful for launching surprise attacks. So the commander of a gorkha regiment asked his men to wear the chin strips under the lips, So that they would be reminded not to scream when they get into attack mode. The 5th Gorkha Rifles still maintains it.

The Khukri 
The Gurkha’s traditional weapon and all-around utility tool, is the powerful Khukri, an inwardly bent cross between a machete and a knife, measuring 18 inches and able to split a man’s head down the middle midway to the chest in one blow. Ghastly indeed. According to tradition, once drawn, the kukri demands blood, if not the enemy’s, then the owner’s will suffice. The regimental insignia of the gorkha regiment also consists of paired crossed Khukri.

The Khukri
Decorations
Gorkha Regiments are one of the most decorated regiments of Indian Army.They are considered finest soldiers worldwide..

Three Gorkhas has been awarded the highest military decoration "Param Veer Chakra" Which are most by any regiment of Indian army.In addition to this, various Gorkha Regiments have been awarded 33 Maha Vir Chakras, and 84 Vir Chakras besides 26 victoria cross. the British military’s highest distinction for valor,while 2,700 were awarded other medals in World War II alone. More recently, a Gurkha sergeant was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for single-handedly fighting off a Taliban attack to his base in Afghanistan.


Recruitment
More than 28,000 Nepalese from the hills strive to become a Gurkha every year to fill just 200 places. The selection process is said to be the toughest in the world and the competition is stiff. The ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups: the Gurungs and Magars from central Nepal; and the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in impoverished hill villages.


Training
As part of their training, recruits are expected to pass several educational, language and fitness tests, among them running a 3-mile uphill course carrying 70 lbs. on their backs and doing 70 sit-ups in 2 minutes. After meeting the initial age, height, weight and schooling requirements, recruits go on to the second stage for English language training, maths, fitness and an initiative test. The third stage includes: 3-month language training, military skills, Western culture and customs, general weapons training and, of course, several fitness tests.


Stories
Stories of the Gurkhas bravery and skill abound have been well documented, such is the reputation of these hardy nepali hillsmen that stories of enemy fleeing their position upon hearing rumours of their advances abound.


During the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, in the thick of World War I, the Gurkhas gained immortal fame by capturing a heavily-guarded Turkish-held position with relatively few casualties. On the Western front, a Gurkha battalion fought until the last minute and to the last man at the Battle of Loos.

Recently in India, a retired Gurkha officer travelling on a train in India found himself in the midst of a massive robbery by a band of 40 bandits. When they tried to rape a young girl, the retired Gurkha unsheathed his kukri, killed 3 bandits, injured another 8 and sent the rest fleeing.

In Afghanistan, A Gurkha on a mission to kill a “high-value target” needed proof of his mission’s success in the form of DNA, swiftly decapitated the target and brought his head in as proof instead.

Diprasad Pun  a sergenant of the Royal Gorkha Rifles single handedly defeated 30Talibans who were storming the complex, he fired 400 rounds of Ammunition, used 17 hand grenadews and a Claymore mine before battering the last fighter with the tripod of his machine gun.

Cardozo's was a major of the the 5th gorkha rifles, his remarkable military career saw him losing a leg when he stepped on a landmine in the 1971 war. He cut off his mangled leg with his own khukri and told his Gurkha man: "Now go and bury it." Determined not to let the disability affect his career as a soldier, he later became the first disabled officer in the Indian Army to command an infantry brigade. The regiment which then had 750 personels then made 7326 Pakistanis surrender.

These brave soldiers are an asset to all the nations they serve, In India every year there is a tussle in the IMA as the top cadets try to get into this regiment of the braves. Courage on war front and innumerable gallantry awards notwithstanding, the aura of Gorkhas on the field demands immense respect and makes the enemy tremble with fear.


Legend who saved Kargil, Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana, Military Cross

6:34 PM
July 26th is celebrated across India as the Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the glorious victory of India over the Pakistani forces in 1999.

But what about the forces themselves? What do they celebrate?

When it comes to Kargil there is only One Hero – in fact a LEGEND who stands the tallest. As far as the forces are concerned there is One Giant who along with his brave comrades literally saved Kargil for India, and that did not happen in 1999.

It happened in 1948, during independent India’s first war.

We proud to present the story of a Gorkhali legend who has continued to inspire generations of soldiers serving in for the Indian army in Kashmir.

Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana
Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana
INDEPENDENCE BLUES
Barely few months after independence, Pakistan invaded India via Kashmir with overwhelming number of forces, and such was the disadvantage our troops were in, that India was on the verge of losing entire Kargil region to Pakistan.

The main problem was that our troops could not reach the battlefield due to lack of roads, and they had to reach Leh via Zojila , Drass, and Kargil. Despite poor facilities and equipment, hard work by our Engineers helped in moving the Tanks to reach up to the Zojila pass - in what is called THE BATTLE FOUGHT ON DONKEY TRACKS - But it was still a long way from the actual battle field.

GORKHALIS ON THE MARCH
As in Kargil in 1999 when the 1/11 Gorkhas were the First battalion to be deployed for Kargil, back in 1948 it was the 1/5 Gorkha Rifles under the command of (then) Lt. Col Anant Singh Pathania, who was incidentally the first Indian officer to command the Gorkha Rifles and win a Military Cross, began moving northwards in the direction of Kargil.

During the course of the 1948 war, the most fearful battle was fought for the then Khera bridge which connects Kargil to the rest of India and it was vital to both the sides from strategic, military and geopolitical aspects.

Since the Pakistanis had captured the Kargil area, they were well entrenched in the area with superior firing positions and well supplied armoury. On the other hand the Indian army had been on a move for a while and the supplies were not as regular, also they were in inferior positions which exposed them to firing by Pakistani troops.

THE BATTLE AT KHERA BRIDGE
The 1/5 Gorkha Rifles were engaged by a strong force of Pakistani defenders at Khera bridge over the river Shingo. The battle was so fierce and the Indian troops were so disadvantaged that at one stage of the war the capture of the bridge seemed to be by all means impossible and unlikely. Until one Gorkha soldier decided that loss or withdrawal was simply not an option.

The main problem for the Indian troops was that, the enemy were too well set and they could not keep on fighting the enemy from a distance, they needed to take the fight to the enemy or give up. The battle was fierce and most of the troops guarding the bridge were American trained Pak soldiers with heavy machine guns.

Despite all the odds young Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana and his valiant men of 1/5 GR managed to cross the Shingo river, take the fight to the enemy in the positions where they had felt invincible, and beat them into surrendering or retreating.

SUPREME SACRIFICE
Sub. Harka Bahadur and many of his friends died in the operation but the Gorkhas marched ahead till they fought up to Kargil. As one of the picture will show, before Sub Harka Bahadur and his friends decided enough was enough, it was Pakistan on the other side of the bridge, now the border is more than 5kms away.

Given that so many of our brave hearts have given their supreme sacrifice for our motherland in Kashmir, nowhere in Ladakh or entire Kashmir will you see a memorial solely dedicated to a single person. The memorial dedicated to Sub Harka Bahadur is an exception.

Sub Harka Bahadur Rana earned that rarest of the rare honour not only due to his valour and dedication for our motherland, but also for that rare indomitable spirit which turned the course of war and helped in conjoining Kashmir with India forever.

WE REMEMBER
Lt. Col. Anant Singh Pathania who commanded the mission was decorated with Mahavir Chakra, and Late Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana won Military Cross for his bravery and exploits. Today a new bridge has been built by Indian Army and is known as Harka Bahdur Rana Bridge.

In Military circles, it is said that the battle waged by Col. Phatania, Sub. Harka Bahadur Rana and their men of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles were one of the hardest battle ever fought.

While others chose to ignore or forget our brave hearts, we refuse to forget the real Legends of Kargil - like Harka Bahadur, without whom there would be no Kargil in India.

Jai Mahakali!! Ayo Gorkhali!!

[This article was published earlier in TheDC, and has been re-posted as ‪#‎KargilVijayDiwas‬ Special]

Via GYASA

Anup Kumar Thapa Martyrd fighting Pakistani terrorist infilitrators in J&K

11:23 PM
24th July 2016 J&K Salutes the service and sacrifice of ‪ brave heart Naik Anup Kumar Thapa, 1/3 Gorkha Rifles, who lost his life in action fighting Pakistani terrorist infilitrators at LoC Kupwara, J&K yesterday.

Terrorists attempting to infiltrate (from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) were intercepted by alert troops in the intervening night of July 22-23 which led to exchange of fire and forced the infiltrators to flee. Nk Thapa sustained injuries in the gun battle and unfortunately later succumbed.

Army today paid homage to Naik Anup Kumar Thapa, who was killed in exchange of fire when troops foiled an infiltration bid by militants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara yesterday.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel N N Joshi said Army paid rich tributes to the valour and martyrdom of Naik Thapa here.

Chinar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Satish Dua paid tributes to Naik Anup Kumar Thapa at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar on Sunday.
Anup Kumar Thapa Martyrd fighting Pakistani terrorist
Anup Kumar Thapa Martyrd fighting Pakistani terrorist
“The brave soldier was part of his unit’s Specialist Operational Team that intercepted a group of militants, which was attempting to infiltrate from across the Line of Control (LoC),” he said.

Col Joshi said in the ensuing exchange of fire, Naik Thapa sustained a gunshot wound, but unmindful of his injuries, he continued to engage the militants till the time they fled back.

“Naik Thapa was given first aid at the encounter site itself and thereafter evacuated, but unfortunately, the brave heart succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

Son of a priest from Dehradun, Naik Anup was known by his comrades as an extremely dedicated soldier who would not hesitate from taking on one challenging assignment after another.

“The 41-year-old soldier joined the Army at the tender age of 19 and had a lot of experience in counter militant operations, having had a previous tenure in Rashtriya Rifles also,” he said.

We convey our respects and deepest condolences to Nk Thapa's family.


Gorkha‬ Soldier martyred fighting Militants in LoC Kashmir

8:55 PM
A ‪‎Gorkha‬ Soldier from ‪Assam‬ Martyred While Stopping Militants from Crossing LoC in Kashmir Arun Kumar Rai, a 1/3 Gorkha Rifles jawan hailing from Burha Burhi village, ‪Sadiya‬ in ‪‎Tinsukia‬ district of Assam was martyred on Monday along the Line of Control (‪‎LoC‬) in Jammu and Kashmir's ‪‎Kupwara‬ district when the army battled guerrillas who tried to sneak in from ‪Pakistan‬.

Army’s 1/3 GR and 100 battalion of Border Security Forces (BSF), who are manning the fence at 3 BEHAK forest area near Jumgund in Keran sector, intercepted heavily armed group of militants last night at around 12.30 am.


Arun Kumar Rai, a 1/3 Gorkha Rifles martyred fighting Militants in LoC Kashmir
Arun Kumar Rai, a 1/3 Gorkha Rifles martyred fighting Militants in LoC Kashmir 
After being challenged, the group of militants believed to be infiltrators opened fire resulting in an encounter in which an Army jawan identified as Naik Arun Kumar Rai sustained serious bullet injuries. He was immediately evacuated to military hospital in the frontier of district. However, he succumbed to his injuries.

Army said that they have killed two Al- Badar militants in an encounter at Nowgam sector in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

(TNT News)


Indian Gorkha Kumar Thapa the only Indian to scale Mount Everest and reach South Pole

11:45 AM
A Siachen warrior: This is the first Indian man to reach Mt Everest and South Pole

Writes Sushant Singh 

“I want to be the first Indian man to complete The Three Poles Challenge.”

Arjun Kumar Thapa is the only Indian man to have reached the top of Mount Everest and South Pole. But, he has also done what many others who have reached both these places won’t ever be able to do: two stints at the Siachen glacier.

A Havaldar with the Gorkha Regiment of the Indian Army, Thapa completed the feat on May 20, when he scaled the Everest as part of a 30-member Indian Army Massive Everest Expedition: 2016. This team will be ceremonially flagged in by the army chief in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Two Indian twins, Tashi and Nungshi Malik, daughters of a retired army officer, had achieved the feat last year when they reached the South Pole.

Thapa, 34, had reached the South Pole in Antarctica as part of an eight-member army team on January 15, 2011. The team had covered the distance of 1170 km in 50 days of skiing.
Speaking exclusively to The Indian Express, Thapa said that “even though both are glaciers, the two challenges are totally different. The journey to South Pole is on a flatter terrain, with gradual slope and there is no problem of oxygen. The climb to the peak of Everest has more obstacles, particularly the icefalls like the Khumbu icefall.”
Arjun Kumar Thapa is a second generation soldier, whose father had also served in the Gorkha regiment.
Thapa is a second generation soldier, whose father had also served in the Gorkha regiment.
While travelling to South Pole, Thapa said that the challenge is to remain fit for 50 days of skiing, with little time for recovery. He had achieved the feat during the period of six months of continuous daylight at Antarctica, which made rest even more difficult. “For the first week, I couldn’t even sleep in Antarctica. But then you get tired and you start sleeping,” says Thapa, father of a one-year-old son.
On the climb to Everest, he says that there is enough time for recovery but there is always a danger for life and safety. In 2016, so far, six climbers have lost their lives and more than 25 rescued after going down with frostbite and hypothermia.
A Havaldar with the Gorkha Regiment of the Indian Army, Thapa completed the feat on May 20, when he scaled the Everest as part of a 30-member Indian Army Massive Everest Expedition: 2016.
His two stints at Siachen, one at the Siachen Battle School from 2013-15 and the other at Southern Glacier with his battalion from 2006-08, were of great help in his climb to South Pole and Mount Everest. In 2012, he was part of the team which opened the route at Siachen Glacier from Bhim to Shiyagra Complex. “You get used to living at a glacier and it also toughens you mentally for any hardship. There can be no better preparation than that,” says Thapa, proudly wearing the Everest badge on the left pocket of his army uniform.

Lt Colonel RS Jamwal, the team leader of the Everest expedition team and a three-time Everest climber says that “the expedition was a particularly successful one, with 14 of our team scaling the peak at Everest, as planned by us. We had no casualties. Five of our boys also successfully participated in the Everest Marathon, the highest marathon event in the world.”
The Everest Marathon is an annual event held on May 29, to commemorate the day
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first climbed the Everest.
The Everest Marathon is an annual event held on May 29, to commemorate the day Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first climbed the Everest. The 42-kilometre race starts from the Base Camp at 17,500 feet and ends at Namcha Bazaar at 12,000 feet. The Indian participants completed the race in a time of 5.30 to 6 hours, Jamwal said.

Having reached South Pole and Mount Everest, what is next challenge for Thapa? “The North Pole”, the soldier replies, “I want to be the first Indian man to complete The Three Poles Challenge.”


Via indianexpress



शहीद अश कुमार गुरुंग पंचतत्त्व में विलीन

10:31 PM
सोलन। पाकिस्तानी आतंकवादियों की घुसपैठ को नाकाम कर प्राणों की आहुति देने वाले शहीद लांस नायक अश कुमार गुरुंग शुक्रवार को पंचतत्त्व में विलीन हो गए। सुबाथू के श्मशानघाट में पूरे सैन्य व राजकीय सम्मान के साथ उनका अंतिम संस्कार किया गया। सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्री कर्नल धनी राम शांडिल ने भी सुबाथू पहुंच कर शहीद को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।

बता दें कि, चार दिन पहले जम्मू-कश्मीर के तंगधार क्षेत्र में पाकिस्तानी आतंकवादियों ने भारतीय सीमा में घुसने का प्रयास किया था। दूसरी तरफ से जब गोलीबारी आरंभ हुई तो सीमा पर तैनात गोरखा राइफल्स के जवानों ने मोर्चा संभाल लिया और आतंकवादियों का डटकर मुकाबला करते हुए आतंकियों को खदेड़ दिया। लेकिन, इसी बीच गोलीबारी में भारतीय सेना के दो जवान शहीद हो गए थे। इनमें से एक 3/1 जीआर के लांस नायक अश कुमार गुरुंग थे। बुधवार को उनका शव हेलीकॉप्टर से सुबाथू लाया गया था और नेपाल से उनके परिजनों के आने की प्रतीक्षा की जा रही थी। शुक्रवार को परिजनों के सुबाथू पहुंचने के बाद शहीद का अंतिम संस्कार किया गया।
इससे पहले शहीद के शव को तिरंगे में लपेट कर श्मशानघाट तक पहुंचाया गया। इस मौके पर सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्री कर्नल धनी राम शांडिल ने शहीद के शव पर पुष्पचक्र अर्पित कर उन्हें भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की। 14 गोरखा प्रशिक्षण केंद्र के कार्यवाहक कमांडेंट कर्नल एचपी सिंह सहित समस्त सैन्यअधिकारियों व जवानों ने शहीद को सलामी दी।
Shaheed Ash Kumar Gurung  3/1 Gorkha Rifles
Shaheed Ash Kumar Gurung 

Via eenaduindia

 
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