Unsung heroes of the Kargil War

Second Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt

On 20 July 1997, Second Lieutenant Puneet Nath Datt was ordered to lead his company in the search operation. An information was received that a group of mercenaries were holed up in a house. 2/Lt Datt decided to begin the search from a suspicious-looking three-storeyed house that provoked the militants to fire back.
In a three hour long encounter, the fearless young officer kept taking pot-shots at the windows and lobbing hand grenades into the solidly-built house. 2/Lt Datt insisted on taking up the task of clearing the resistance.The moment he jumped over the wall of the house, he ran into a militant trying to make a dash for freedom and shot him dead.
Thereafter, 2/Lt Datt kept on lobbying the grenades at the first floor from where the last surviving militant was continuously firing.The militant spotted 2/Lt Datt and fired at him but at that very moment, 2/Lt Datt too spotted him and let off a burst that killed the militant. 2/Lt Datt sustained grave injuries and was evacuated to the hospital. 2/Lt Puneet Nath Datt displayed courage and valour of the highest order and laid down his life for the country. For this valiant and courageous act, 2/Lt Puneet Nath Datt was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.
Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu

19 July 1988: Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was leading a convoy of two vehicles from Madurang Keni Kulam to Mangani in Sri Lanka for collection of dry rations. On the way, his jeep was suddenly fired upon by militants with rockets, AK-47 and 7.62 Rifles. Both the legs of Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu were completely mutilated due to a direct rocket hit and heavy volume of small arms fire.
Totally crippled and bleeding profusely, Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu still had his wits beyond the realms of imagination. He gallantly blunted every effort of the militants to come anywhere near his fallen comrades and their weapons, killing one of the militants. Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu displayed conspicuous courage and valour fighting the militants and made the supreme sacrifice, keeping up the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
For his unparalleled act of courage & valour Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Havildar Piru Singh

Havildar Piru Singh was detailed to attack and capture an enemy occupied hill feature. The enemy had well dug-in positions and had well sited MMGs covered from all possible approaches.
As the attack advanced, it was met with heavy MMG fire and volley of grenades from both flanks of enemy bunkers which resulted in half of his section getting killed or wounded . He however continued encouraging the remaining men and rushed forward with great determination to the nearest enemy MMG position and soon he was on top of the MMG position.
He ferociously jumped on the MMG crew, bayoneting them to death, thus silencing the gun and the crew. He crawled out of the trench, hurling grenades at the next enemy position, bayoneting two more to death. As Havildar Piru Singh emerged out of the second trench to charge the third enemy bunker, he was hit in the head by a bullet and was seen dropping on the edge of the enemy trench,which was followed with an explosion in the trench, which showed that his grenade had silenced balance of the enemy troops. By then Havildar Piru Singh's wounds had proved fatal. For his single-handed and determined brave act Havildar Piru Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous).
(Content courtesy: Facebook/Indian Army)