Major Padmapani Acharya

Major Padmapani Acharya (1968 - 1999)Of the 2nd Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Major Padmapani Acharya, ‘A’ company commander, was assigned to capture Knoll in area Black Rock, a heavily fortified enemy position with coordinated mine fields, sweeping machine guns, artillery fire and bunkers in mutual support.

The success of the Brigade operations, hinged on the early capture of the Knoll. However, the company was pinned down by a heavy volume of fire of UMG from a bunker atop the Knoll which was the only approach.

Realizing that the elimination of this bunker was essential for progress of attack he took the reserve platoon and charged on to the bunker. Major Acharya crawled up to the bunker and lobbed a grenade inside.

Even after being grievously injured, Major Acharya engaged the Pakistan regulars in hand to hand fight and killed one of them before succumbing to his injuries.

The dynamism, raw courage, personal example and supreme sacrifice of Major Acharya enthused the troops and the Knoll was quickly overrun, providing the Battalion its foot hold on ‘Black Rock’.

Known as the sutradhar of their battalion, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Courtesy: indianarmy.nic.in & hindustantimes.com