Subedar Major Kharka Bahadur Limbu belonged to Mantri village in Imphal district of Manipur. He joined the Assam Rifles on 5th December 1929. He took part in the Burma Campaign during World War II and was given the gallantry award, “Military Cross” by the British.
| Service Number | JC-30385 |
| Place of Birth | Manipur |
| Rank | Subedar Major |
| Unit | 8 Assam Rifles |
| Regiment | Assam Rifles |
| Award | Ashok Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 26th April 1961 |
In 1961, Subedar Major Limbu’s unit was deployed in Nagaland and was engaged in counterinsurgency operations. On 26th April 1961, 8 Assam Rifles planned a counterinsurgency operation under the leadership of Subedar Major Limbu. He quickly cordoned off the suspected area along with his team members. Sub Maj Limbu leading the attack charged at the militants and eliminated two of them, while taking possession of their weapons. However, while doing so he got hit by a bullet and got seriously injured. But without caring for his injuries, he crawled forward and lobbed two grenades in the militants’ bunker killing three of them. He continued giving instructions to his men and motivating them till all the militants were neutralized. Sub Maj Limbu later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
The courageous soldier and outstanding leader was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award, ‘Ashok Chakra’ for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice.
