The heroism of Gurkha soldier Dipprasad Pun, who single-handedly defeated 30 Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, has become an enduring testament to the valor and dedication of Gurkha soldiers. This article delves into the extraordinary bravery of Dipprasad Pun, who received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions and sheds light on the storied history and remarkable contributions of the Gurkhas in the British Army.
Hero British Army Gurkha soldier Dipprasad Pun killed 30 Taliban single-handedly.
Dipprasad Pun, A Gurkha soldier, achieved the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross by the British Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. for defeating 30 Taliban insurgents alone. CGC award is second to the Victoria Cross- The highest honor for bravery on the battlefield.
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross by the Queen
On the evening of 17 Sept 2010, Sergent Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifle was posted as a sentry at the outpost in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. He heard some noise coming from some distance. The noise was unclear, so he took it as some animal. As he went to check, he saw some insurgents laying IEDs ( Improvised explosive devices).
Immediately, he understood the outpost was under attack. Insurgents rained fire from all sides with guns. He was under heavy fire from RPG and AK 47. Defending the post from the roof, he returned fire at the advancing enemies.
Dipprasad Pun said, At that time I wasn’t worried, there wasn’t any choice but to fight. The Taliban were all around the checkpoint, I was alone,” he told the crowd gathered at the ceremony. “I had so many of them around me that I thought I was definitely going to die so I thought I’d kill as many of them as I could before they killed me.”
One of the insurgents climbed up, and Dipprasad killed him with his machine gun. Another soldier hopped on the roof by climbing an adjacent tower. He rushed to him. Dipprasad tried to shoot him with his SA80 rifle, but the gun jammed.
He picked up the bag of sand to throw at him, but the bag got torn, And it didn’t work either. Then he grabbed his machine gun’s tripod and approached the militant, shouting in Nepali ‘Marchu talai’ (‘I will kill you). He knocked the enemy off the roof.
Amidst all of this, he continued firing. He threw grenades and even used Claymore Mine, killing many. He fought them until company commander Major Shaun Chandler arrived. When the battle ended, 30 Talabani militants were dead. And one Gurkha soldier still standing up.
He fired over 250 general machine gun rounds, 180 SA80 rounds, Threw six phosphorus grenades six regular grenades, and used one claymore mine.
One can not imagine how he fought his enemies, but then again, he is a Gurkha soldier. As Indian Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw once said, ‘If a man said that he is not afraid of being killed during a fight, either he is lying, or he is a Gurkha.’
Who are Gurkha Soldiers?
Gurkha soldiers come from the Gurkha community of Nepal. Gurkha has served the British Army for the last 200 years. They serve in the Nepal Army and Indian Army as well. Gurkhas are known to be fearless warriors. Their loyalty, bravery, and professionalism set the benchmarks till now. Their contributions earned an incredible 13 Victoria Crosses and countless other medals for bravery.
Some facts about Gurkhas
● The name of Gurkha comes from the name “Gorkha,” which is a hill town in Nepal.
● Currently, there are 7 Gurkha regiments in the Indian Army.
● They celebrated their 200 years of serving in the British Army in 2015. However, they had mainly become an integral part of the British Army since 1947, when they left and transferred from the Indian Army.
● More than 46,000 Gurkhas died during the fighting for the British.
● Around 112,000 Gurkhas were taken as a part of the Second World War from the British side.
● They have 5 Royal Navy vessels named Gurkha or HMS Gurkha. Three of them got sunk during the enemy attack, and the last got retired in 1984.
● They all carry their traditional weapon, which is an 18-inch long kukri knife. If it is pulled into the battle and said to “taste the blood, ” it could be unstoppable.
● Gurkha soldiers are mainly recruited from the hill villages of Nepal.
● In 2009, all the retired Gurkha soldiers got permission to live the rest of their lives in the UK.
● The selection of Gurkha soldiers is one of the toughest tests in the world. They should perform a doko race where they should run three mills uphill carrying around 35kg (77lb) of rock or sand strapped to their back. Hannah King tests them before selection.
● They might participate in a talent show to perform breakdancing and beatboxing. It is a part of the soldiers’ entertainment and refreshments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Dipprasad Pun, a Gurkha soldier who single-handedly defeated 30 Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, exemplifies the incredible bravery and dedication of the Gurkha community. Dipprasad’s actions, which earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, highlight the enduring legacy of Gurkhas as fearless warriors who have served with distinction in the British Army for over 200 years.
The Gurkhas’ contributions to various conflicts, including the Second World War, have been invaluable, and their loyalty and professionalism have set a benchmark for military service. Despite facing numerous challenges and dangers, Gurkha soldiers continue to serve with courage and honor, making them a source of pride for Nepal, India, and the United Kingdom.
As Dipprasad Pun’s story illustrates, Gurkhas are not just soldiers; they are a symbol of resilience, bravery, and sacrifice. Their legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
