Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was born on 25 June 1975 in Rudha village, Sitapur District. His early schooling took place at Sainik School, Lucknow. He joined the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla where he was part of the 90th Course. After graduating, he joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun to complete his final phase of training and was commissioned in the First Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles (1/11 GR) on 07 June 1997.
During the Kargil war, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey was promoted to the rank of Captain. 1/11 GR was tasked to clear the Kalubhar Ridge during operation Vijay in 1999. He attacked the first enemy position fearlessly and killed two enemy personnel. Successively, he charged at the second position and captured it by killing two more enemy personnel. While clearing the third position, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey was hit in the shoulder and legs by enemy fire. Undaunted and unconcerned about his serious wounds, he led the assault on the fourth position, rallying his men and destroying it with a grenade. During this attack he got a fatal medium machine gun burst on his forehead. It is this singular daredevil act of the officer, which provided the critical firm base for the battalion to finally capture Khalubhar.

He displayed most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage, exemplary personal valour, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order and received country’s highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

свернуть