On the eve of Independence Day, the President and Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces has awarded Ashok Chakra, the peacetime highest award for gallantry to (13622536N) Havildar Hangpan Dada of the Assam Regiment/35th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous).  Havildar Hangpan Dada showed exemplary courage, selfless devotion and conspicuous gallantry beyond the call of duty during an encounter with a group of terrorist in J&K and killed three of them before attaining martyrdom.

            On 26 May 2016, when terrorists managed to break contact with our stops at Naugam Sector in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, Late Havildar Hangpan Dada along with his section was tasked to chase and trap fleeing terrorists. Displaying ingenuity and understanding of ground, the ex-commando moved with incredible speed in inhospitable snow bound high altitude terrain. This move blocked the escape route of the terrorists and surprised them.

            In the ensuing firefight, when his section was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire, with utter disregard to his own safety he moved to a flank and closed in with the terrorists sheltered in rocks and boulders, resulting in saving lives of his comrades. He displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists at close quarters. In the exchange of fire, he was grievously injured. Undeterred, the NCO went after the remaining terrorists. In the process, he came face to face with the third terrorist whom he killed in hand to hand combat before making the supreme sacrifice. Thus, Havildar Hangapan Dada killed three terrorists in the operation singlehandedly and his action led to elimination of the fourth terrorist.

NAo/DM/RAJ