Poloju Gopaiah Chari

Biography

Lance Naik Poloju Gopaiah Chari hailed from Suryapet district in Telangana. After completing his early education, he joined the Indian Army and was enrolled in the 315 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, the combat support arm known for its advanced guns and heavy weaponry. Over years of dedicated service he rose to the rank of Lance Naik and developed into a brave and proud gunner. During the Kargil War, the 315 Field Regiment, under the command of Colonel NA Subramaniam, was among the first artillery units deployed at Dras in mid-May 1999. The regiment provided sustained fire support to infantry battalions — the 1 Naga, 8 Sikh, 17 Jat and 16 Grenadiers — in the assaults on Tololing, Point 5140, Black Tooth, Tiger Hill and Point 4875, often firing continuously through the night despite exposing their positions to enemy shelling. On the evening of 2 July 1999, as his gun kept up relentless fire to protect advancing infantry, Lance Naik Gopaiah Chari was gravely wounded by an enemy shell and soon succumbed to his injuries, laying down his life in the line of duty.