Major David Manlun belonged to Churachandpur district in Manipur. He was born on 27th July 1985 to an army veteran Subedar M Khamzalam. Major David finished his schooling at Army Public School, Shillong, and graduated from St Anthony’s College Shillong in the year 2006. In 2009 he joined the Officer Training Academy, Chennai. In Mar 2010 he has commissioned into the 1st Battalion the Naga Regiment. After a stint of peace station at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh, Maj David was posted in Nagaland with 164 Inf Bn TA (NAGA) in 2014. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation in recognition of his exemplary service on 15 Aug 2016.
| Service Number | SS-43887Y |
| Place of Birth | Imphal, Manipur |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 164 Inf Bn TA |
| Regiment | Naga Regiment |
| Award | Kirti Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 6th June 2017 |
After receiving intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the Lappa area, close to the Myanmar border, the security forces decided to launch a joint operation on 06 June 2017. The militants were suspected to be from ULFA(I) and SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), who was very active in the Mon district of Nagaland. A joint operation by a combined team of the Para commandos and the 164 Inf Bn of TA, was launched. The combined team swung into action and launched a search and destroy mission in the Lappa area in the Mon district of Nagaland. Major David was leading the team in the mission when the militants fired at them. Major David led from the front and counter-attacked, directing his troops. However, the militants were heavily armed and were using automatic weapons and grenades. During the fierce gun battle, Major David got injured and was martyred.
Major David Manlun was given the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for his outstanding grit, determination, leadership, and supreme sacrifice.
