Jagat Bahadur Ghale, KC

Biography

Subedar Jagat Bahadur Ghale joined the Army after completing his school education and was recruited into the 6/5 GR battalion of the 5 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, an infantry regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers. By 2004 he had put in over two decades of service, evolving into a dedicated soldier and a dependable junior commissioned officer who led from the front. During 2004, his unit was deployed in the Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir, where its area of responsibility ran along the Line of Control and was prone to infiltration from across the border. Besides planned counter-insurgency and counter-infiltration operations, the battalion launched regular armed patrols and maintained strict vigil to check infiltration attempts. On the night of 6 November 2004, six Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were detected attempting to cross via the dense Rajawar forests near the Line of Control. Deployed nearby, Subedar Ghale recognised the threat and swiftly re-sited his ambush to engage them. Showing bold initiative, he allowed the terrorists to approach to within 15 metres before opening fire, killing two in the opening exchange. As the fierce gun-battle turned into hand-to-hand combat, he sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder but refused to withdraw. Bleeding profusely and unmindful of his injury, he continued to fire, wounded a third terrorist, and kept rallying and motivating his men to prevent the enemy's escape until the loss of blood overcame him. Inspired by his gallant leadership, his troops eliminated the entire group of infiltrators. Subedar Ghale was evacuated for first aid but succumbed to his injuries. For his conspicuous gallantry, selfless courage and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation's second-highest peacetime gallantry award.