Rfn Alok Rao posthumously awarded Shaurya Chakra
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 06 2024:
Recognising his exceptional courage and sacrifice during an intense operation in Manipur, Rifleman Alok Rao of 18 Assam Rifles was posthumously honoured with the Shaurya Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu in a solemn ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on Friday.
The Shaurya Chakra, India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred upon Rifleman Alok Rao in recognition of his indomitable spirit, selfless devotion, and supreme bravery.
The ceremony, presided over by President Murmu, was an emotional moment as the soldier's parents received the prestigious honour on behalf of their son.
Alok Rao was a resident of Rasia Sahabganj, at Chakia in Chandauli district, UP.
He was recruited to 18 Assam Rifles in 2021 and was deployed in Manipur.
Rifleman Alok Rao, a member of an internal security column deployed in a highly sensitive area of Manipur, displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of grave danger.
As a jawan of 18 Assam Rifles, Alok Rao sustained injuries during a gunfight in Dolaithabi area in Imphal East district on May 10 of last year.
Around 10 to 12 armed Kuki militants were spotted moving towards a light machine gun bunker where he was positioned.
Realising the imminent danger to his position and his comrades, Rifleman Rao challenged the armed group, who opened fire without warning.
He immediately swung into action and effectively returned fire, causing injuries to two or three militants.
Rifleman Alok Rao suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was immediately airlifted to the military hospital in Leimakhong.
Later, he was shifted to the military command hospital in Kolkata, where he succumbed to his injuries on May 17.In connection with the incident, a cadre of the armed group Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), a Suspension of Operations (SoO) signatory, identified as Khupngam Koireng son of Teba Koireng of Utongfok village, was arrested.
A 9mm pistol was seized from his possession.
On that fateful day, KRA cadres had reportedly been shooting and burning houses in villages near Dolaithabi Post and Dolaithabi Top Post.
On May 9, troopers of 18 Assam Rifles had taken over the two posts after driving away the militants.
In the morning of May 10, KRA cadres attacked the post at Dolaithabi Top, to which the Assam Rifles personnel retaliated, forcing the militants to flee the area.
The fleeing cadres encountered an unknown armed group on their way back, resulting in an exchange of fire.
Outnumbered and overwhelmed by the second armed group, the KRA militants had to flee but were met with an Assam Rifles check post, which had just been established the previous day.
Rifleman Alok Rao, who was on duty, issued' a warning, but the militants fired at him before fleeing.
Upon receiving news of the incident, the Assam Rifles troopers fired several rounds at the militants and pursued them.
The KRA cadres ran to the nearby Utonglok village and hid there.
Shortly after, additional forces of the Indian Army, including Assam Rifles from Leimakhong and Saikul, rushed to the location and cordoned off Utonglok village.
During the operation, the KRA cadre was apprehended with a 9mm pistol.
Security forces also recovered firearms and ammunition from the village but failed to apprehend the other cadres involved in the incident.
Later, the security forces conducted an operation in Lhangnom village, which is settled and guarded by KRA, according to sources.
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