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| Chunni Lal leaves indelible mark | | Twice decorated valiant soldier lays down life in nation’s honour | |
Jammu, June 26: As the saga of supreme sacrifices continues to protect the innocent lives in Jammu and Kashmir, a twice decorated Indian Army soldier, Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, has left yet another indelible mark on psyche of patriotic souls.
Chunni Lal lost his life last Sunday while fighting a tough battle with terrorists who were trying to cross over the Line of Control in Kupwara sector of North Kashmir. A twice decorated soldier, Chuni Lal of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry had served a term as a UN peacekeeper.
The Junior Commissioned Officer, Chunni Lal belonged to Bhaar village in Doda district. He is survived by wife Chinta Devi and two children including a 16 years old son and an eight year old daughter. Chunni Lal was born in 1968 in Baderwah. He joined the JAK LI in 1984.
The martyr soldier had been decorated with the Vir Chakra, the country's third highest gallantry award, and the Sena Medal. He was also credited with a significant role in capturing the now famous Bana Post at 21,153 feet in the Siachen glacier, the highest and coldest battlefield.
The encounter in which Chuni Lal was killed had taken place in Kupwara district following suspicious movements were noticed near the LoC during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday last. However, due to low clouds and poor visibility, the movement of terrorists could not be tracked very effectively at night.
A search party led by Chunni Lal was launched in Sunday morning to ascertain the facts.
The JCO led his troops from the front, though with caution. The troops were fired upon by a group of terrorists hiding near the LoC. The JCO retaliated immediately with heavy volume of fire.
The young JCO, putting his acumen into act manoeuvred his troops to block all escape routes of the terrorists. This led to elimination of two fleeing terrorists at the outset. The remaining terrorists, finding themselves surrounded and outmanoeuvred, made a suicidal bid to escape, injuring two soldiers.
Sensing the criticality of the situation and threat to life of his fellow soldiers, Chunni Lal, with total disregard to personal safety not witnessed very often, charged at the terrorists.
This act of daredevilry took the remaining three terrorists by total surprise. The JCO, though wounded and profusely bleeding, continued to fire at the terrorists till the remaining three were killed.
This act of great bravery, leadership and supreme sacrifice by Chunni Lal not only resulted in elimination of the five Pakistan-trained terrorists but also saved the lives of his fellow soldiers under his command.
Reports said that during the course of training he excelled in military subjects, displayed courage and camaraderie, displaying the potentials of making of a great soldier from the very beginning.
On joining his unit, young Chunni Lal lived up to the promise of an ideal soldier when in 1987, he volunteered and played an important role in capturing the Bana Post, for which he was awarded the Sena Medal.
Not letting past glory and laurels dull his basic soldierly instincts, zeal and determination to excel, he set for himself even higher goals and continued to display a high degree of devotion to duty.
He became an example to emulate when in 1999, while serving with his unit in the Poonch sector during Operation Rakshak, he fought an attempted intrusion by the Pakistan Army and was instrumental in beating back the attack on the post. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for this act of gallantry.
Chunni Lal yet again displayed his utility and unflinching devotion to duty when serving in the difficult operating situation of Sudan.
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