Francis Dias

Lieutenant-General Francis Tiburtius Dias, PVSM, AVSM, VrC (14 October 1934 – 16 January 2019) was a retired Indian Army officer, who was involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Lieutenant-General

Francis Tiburtius Dias

PVSM, AVSM, VrC
Nickname(s)Dick Dias[1]
Born(1934-10-04)4 October 1934
Poona, Maharashtra
Died26 January 2019(2019-01-26) (aged 84)
Pali Hill, Bandra, Mumbai
Buried
Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bandra, Mumbai
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1954-1992
Rank Lieutenant-General
Service numberIC-7044
Unit11th Gorkha Rifles
Commands heldChief of Staff Southern Command
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Operation Cactus-Lilly
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vir Chakra
Spouse(s)Selda Dias
RelationsHis Eminence Ivan Dias Dr Olaf J Dias, Mr Ralph J Dias

Early days

Dias was born in 1934 into a Goan[2] family having Portuguese ancestry. He is the elder brother of Cardinal Ivan Dias.[3]

Military career

Francis T. Dias joined the Gorkha Regiment in 1954 as a second lieutenant.


Vir Chakra

The citation for the Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

CITATION
(Lieutenant Colonel Francis Tiburtius Dias)

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Tiburtius Dias was commanding a battalion of 11th Gorkha Rifles during the operations against Pakistan in the Eastern Sector. On 12 December 1971, he was ordered to capture a well prepared position held by an enemy infantry battalion. Again, on 13 December, the battalion was assigned the task of capturing two bridges held by the enemy in strength. And finally on 14 December 1971 the battalion was assigned the task of capturing a portion of Bogra Town. Under his leadership, the battalion carried out all the tasks successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. After contacting the enemy defences at Mahasthana, he infiltrated between the enemy's forward defended localities, raided the enemy battalion headquarters, and captured the officer commanding along with other officers. He also thwarted enemy efforts to blow up bridges. It was due to him that the battalion contributed to a great extent in clearing Bogra Town and taking a large number of prisoners.

Throughout this operation, Lieutenant Colonel Dias displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order. [4]

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References
  1. "Lt Gen. FT Dias dies : Indian Army loses a living legend". www.aviation-defence-universe.com.
  2. Vaz, J. Clement. Profiles of Eminent Goans, Past and Present.
  3. "Pope Sends Telegram for Death of Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias". 20 June 2017.
  4. Gazette Notification: 94 Pres/72,19-8-72; Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily; Date of Award: 12 Dec 1971
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