Narbahadur Thapa
Naik Narbahadur Thapa, AC was a soldier in Indian Army who was awarded with the first ever peacetime military decoration Award “Ashoka Chakra”. He was the first person among the two to receive it for the first time.[1][2]
Narbahadur Thapa | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ |  |
| Rank |  |
| Service number | 10341 |
| Unit | 5/5 Gorkha Rifles |
| Awards |  |
Military career
Naik Narbahadur Thapa was enrolled in Indian Army on 11 November 1940. After completion his training He got posted to 5/5 Gorkha Rifles. In 1948, he was posted in the Hyderabad Police Action for his duties with his battalion.
Operation
During the Hyderabad Police Action on 13 September 1948, Naik Narbahadur Thapa was posted with the 5/5 Gorkha Rifles on the field. On the same day, No 2 platoon of A Company,5/5 GR i.e. 5th Battalion the 5th Gorkha Rifles was held up on left flank of the Tungabhadra Railway Bridge in Hyderabad by automatic fire from Ben Gun post and snipping from the other enemy positions. As soon as the hostile positions were engaged by section fire, Naik Narbahadur Thapa rushed across 100 yards of open ground under heavy enemy fire. He eliminated the machine gun post crew using his khukri and his platoon was able to proceed and secure the vital Tungabhadra Bridge.
Ashoka Chakra awardee
In Recognition of his iniative, courage, personal bravery, superior leadership and exceptional devotion to his duty in the highest tradition of the Battalion, Naik Narbahadur Thapa was awarded India's one of the first gallantry awards “Ashok Chakra”.