Siachen Hero Martyred; 5 Militants Killed in Gallant Action

New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) In a fierce firefight with militants in the Kupwara Sector of Jammu&Kashmir, a Junior Commissioned Officer -- decorated twice for gallantry earlier -- was martyred yesterday, it was offically announced today.

Naib Subedar Chunni Lal was instrumental in the elimination of five Pak-trained militants but later succumbed to injuries sustained in the action.

According to reports received here, troops of a Jammu&Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) battalion observed some suspicious movement near the Line of Control (LoC) during the intervening night of June 23/24 in the Keran sector of Kupwara district.

However, due to low clouds and poor visibility, the movement of terrorists could not be tracked very effectively at night.

Consequently, a search party led by Naib Subedar Chunni Lal set out in the morning hours of Sunday to ascertain the facts.

The JCO led his troops from the front -- though with caution. The troops were fired upon by a group of terrorists hiding near the LoC to which they retaliated immediately with heavy volume of fire.

The young but battle-hardened JCO manoeuvered his troops to block all escape-routes of the terrorists.

This led to the elimination of two fleeing terrorists at the outset and the remaining terrorists -- finding themselves surrounded and out-manoeuvered -- made a desperate bid to escape, injuring two soldiers.

Sensing the criticality of the situation and threat to life of his fellow-soldiers, Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, with total disregard to personal safety, charged at the terrorists. This act of daredevilry took the remaining three terrorists by total surprise.

The JCO, though wounded and profusely bleeding, continued to fire at the terrorists till all the remaining three terrorists were killed. Naib Subedar Chunni Lal later succumbed to injuries.

This act of bravery, leadership and supreme sacrifice by Naib Subedar Chunni Lal not only resulted in the elimination of five Pak-trained terrorists but also saved the lives of his fellow-soldiers under his command.

Late Naib Subedar Chunni Lal was born in 1968 in Bhaderwah. He joined the JAK LI in 1984. During the course of training, he excelled in military subjects, displayed courage and camaraderie, and the potentials of a true soldier from the very beginning.

On joining his unit, young Chunni Lal lived up to the promise of an ideal soldier when in 1987, he volunteered for and played an important role in capturing the now famous 'Bana Post' located at 21,153 feet on the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

For this act of Gallantry, he was awarded the Sena Medal.

Not letting past glories and laurels dull his basic soldierly instincts, zeal and determination to excel, he set for himself even higher goals and continued to display a high degree of devotion to duty.

He became an example to emulate when in 1999, while serving with his unit in the Poonch Sector during 'Operation Rakshak', he fought an attempted intrusion by Pakistan Army personnel and was instrumental in beating back the Pak attack on the post.

For this act of gallantry he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

An asset to the Indian Army and the nation, Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, VrC, SM yet again displayed his utility and unflinching devotion to duty while serving in the difficult operating situation of Sudan as a peacekeeper with the United Nations.

Here, too, he was at the forefront in the operations at Malakal for which the Battalion received the United Nations Citation for Valour.

The valiant JCO belongs to Village Bhaar, Malothi of Bhaderwah tehsil in Doda District of J&K.

He will be cremated with full military honours on Wednesday, said an official spokesperson here.

Naib Subedar Chunni Lal is survived by his wife, Mrs Chinta Devi, and two children -- a 16-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter.

UNI