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Neikezhakuo Kenguruse | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 15, 1974 Nerhema, Kohima, Nagaland |
| Died | June 28, 1999 (aged 24) KIA in Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1998-1999 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 2 Rajrif |
| Battles/wars | Kargil War Operation Vijay |
| Awards |  Maha Vir Chakra |
Neikezhakuo Kenguruse (July 15, 1974 - June 28, 1999) was an officer of the 2 Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, for exemplary valour in combat during operations in the Kargil War in 1999.
Early Years[edit]
Captain Kenguruse was born in Nerhema village at Kohima, Nagaland. His father was Neisielie Kenguruse. He had two brothers named Ngseue Kenguruse, Atoulie Kenguruse. He did his schooling at St Xavier School in Jalukie and graduated from Kohima Science College. He served as a teacher at the Government High School in Kohima from 1994 to 1997. He was later commissioned into the Indian Army on December 12, 1998.[1]
He was fondly nicknamed Neibu by his family and friends. His north Indian soldiers called him Nimbu sahib (literally Lemon sir).[2]
Kargil Conflict[edit]
Background[edit]
In 1999, the Indian Army detected a massive infiltration by Pakistani military and paramilitary forces in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. Capt. Kenguruse, a junior commander in the 2 Rajrif, was one of the more than 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the region.
Operation[edit]
On the night of 28 June 1999, he was the Ghatak platoon commander during the attack on area ‘Black Rock’ in icy heights of the Drass Sector. Without thinking of his own safety, he volunteered to undertake a daring commando mission which involved attacking an enemy machine gun position on a cliff face. As the commando team scaled the cliff, They came under intense mortar and automatic fire, which caused heavy casualties.
On reaching the final cliff face, the commando team was halted by a sheer rock wall that separated them from the enemy machine gun post. At a height of 16,000 feet and a temperature of -10 degrees, he kicked off his shoes and somehow climbed up while carrying with him a rocket launcher with which he fired at the enemy position. The brave officer sustained splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the assault.
He emerged as a true inspiration for his platoon when despite the hurdles, The officer thereafter charged at the enemy position and personally killed two men with his rifle and another two with his commando knife in a hand to hand combat before succumbing to his injury. It was then that a bullet hit him, but before falling off the cliff, he had done enough damage to the enemy and proved his mettle.
His troops went on to capture the Lone Hill. When the mission was accomplished, they dedicated the victory to ‘Nimbu Sahab’. His dare devil act is exemplary for his troops as well as the whole nation.
In his last letter to his father he wrote "I may not be able to return home to be a part of our family again. Even if I don't make it, do not grieve for me because I have already decided to give my best for the nation."[3]
Gazette Notification: 17 Pres/2000,15.8.99 Operation: Vijay - Kargil Date of Award: 1999 Citation: Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse was the Ghatak platoon commander during the attack on area 'Black Rock' in the Drass Sector on the night of 28 June 1999 during 'Operation Vijay'. He volunteered to undertake a daring commando mission of attacking a well-sited enemy machine gun position, on a cliff face, which was heavily interfering with all the approaches to the main objective of the battalion. As the commando team scaled the cliff face, it came under intense mortar and automatic fire, which caused heavy casualties.
Captain Kenguruse sustained splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the assault. On reaching the final cliff face, the commando team was halted by a sheer rock wall that separated them from the enemy machine gun post. Captain Kenguruse took off his shoes to get a good grip and scaled the rock wall carrying with hi111 a rocket launcher, which he fired at the enemy position.
Unmindful of his personal safety, he thereafter charged at the enemy position and personally killed two men with his rifle and another two with his commando knife in a hand-to-hand combat before succumbing to his injury.
By his dare devil act, Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse single handedly neutralized the enemy position, which had held up the battalion's progress. He displayed conspicuous gallantry indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face oft he enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army.
A memorial was constructed at Pheza Village in his memories.[4]
See also[edit]
Reference[edit]
- ^ "The Eastern Mirror". The Eastern Mirror. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ "Newsgram". Newsgram. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ "Father's words on a martyr". Outlook India. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ "Kargil Martyr honored". Nagaland Post. Retrieved 31 December 2015.