Gorkha - Revisiting the valour of those brave Gorkhas

 Today, Four Five Gorkhas are gathered in Dehradun — where they were reborn in 1963 — to commemorate 50 glorious years of their contribution to the country, both in war and peace. Due to national mourning on account of Prime Minister IK Gujral’s death, the reunion has been turned into a commemorative service.

The battalion’s battle record is enviable: cornering Pakistan’s Ghaznavi force in J&K in 1965; annihilating Pakistan forces at Atgram with just khukuri and later forcing the more than 2 Brigade Sylhet garrison to surrender in 1971 in East Pakistan; mounting a spectacular rescue mission in Jaffna in 1987; and a casualty-free tenure at Siachen.

Sylhet is unquestionably the crown jewel of its battle honours. In 1971 alone, it won two Maha Vir Chakras and three Vir Chakras besides other awards. Rifleman Dil Bahadur Chhetri was awarded the

MVC for disposing of eight Pakistani soldiers with the khukuri. In Sri Lanka, the tally was one MVC, four Vir Chakras and a YSM.

The Sylhet battle is the most celebrated feather in the battalion’s Gorkha hat. Never before and never after 1971 has a battalion size heliborne operation been launched, especially against grievously faulty intelligence assessment. Told they would be opposed by three to 500 Razakars, the battalion was confronted by two regular Brigades. Worse, the promised link up within 48 hours never took place and the battalion had to stick it out for nine days. Still it beat back several counter attacks and eventually took the surrender of the Sylhet garrison several hours before the formal capitulation ceremony at Dacca on December 16.

Many veterans accompanied by their families have returned to the battalion from Nepal to participate in the commemoration of the golden jubilee. Among them is Rifleman Dil Bahadur Chhetri, the hero of Atgram. Many officers from that era have also joined. Among them is Lt Gen SK Sinha, former Vice Chief of Army Staff and Governor Assam and J&K. Together they will recount stories of

battles fought and won and the missed chances.

The legend about Four Five lives beyond battle. Keeping their cool and the khukuri sharp, make Aayo Gorkhali really blood curdling.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/home/online-channel/360-todays-newspaper/113063-revisiting-the-valour-of-those-brave-gorkhas-.html

Gorkhas are gathered in Dehradun — where they were reborn in 1963 — to commemorate 50 glorious years of their contribution to the country, both in war and peace.

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