Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria: A Warrior Who Showed His Valour on Foreign Soil
| 05-Dec-2018 |
On 5 Dec 1961, a battalion of Gorkha Rifles was ordered to clear up a roadblock established at a strategic roundabout at Elizabethville, Katanga. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria with two sections of Gorkha Batallion and two Swedish Armourd Personnel Carriers advanced towards the roadblock from the airfield to act as a cutting-off force. Captain Salaria came under heavy automatic and small arms fire from an undetected enemy position. He took the gauntlet to remove the opposition and charged with bayonets, khukris and grenades supported by rocket launcher. This unexpected bold action completely demoralized the enemy who fled despite the numerical superiority. Captain Salaria was wounded by a burst of automatic fire in his neck but continued to fight till he collapsed owing to profuse bleeding. Captain Salaria was awarded Paramvir Chakra for his leadership, courage and devotion to the duty.