David Manlun, KC

Biography

Major David Manlun belonged to Churachandpur in Manipur and was born on 27 July 1985, the son of Subedar (Retd) M Khamzalam. A graduate of St Anthony's College, Shillong, he fulfilled his ambition of serving the nation when he passed out of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, The Naga Regiment, in March 2010. He served in Jammu & Kashmir and later at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh before being posted to Nagaland in 2014, and in August 2016 was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation for his professionalism. On 6 June 2017, Major Manlun was leading a counter-insurgency operation in the Lappa area close to the India-Myanmar border, against militants of the ULFA(I) and NSCN(K). During the fierce encounter he was wounded by a grenade blast, yet, with utter disregard for his personal safety, he moved forward and opened fire from close range, eliminating three militants and breaking the back of the ambush. Grievously injured in the action, the gallant officer succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice for the nation. For his conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice, Major David Manlun was awarded the Kirti Chakra, the country's second-highest peacetime gallantry award.