Prem Pal, VrC

Biography

Lance Naik Prem Pal was born in Ram Mairajo village of Thano Tehsil in the Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh, the son of Shri Veer Shay and Smt Rampyari Devi. Raised in a humble and close-knit family, he grew up with a strong sense of duty and resilience, and from childhood harboured a deep passion for serving in the armed forces. Inspired by the bravery and honour associated with the Indian Army, he aspired to wear the uniform and defend the nation. After completing his education, he realised his dream when he was recruited into the 19 Garhwal Rifles, a battalion of the illustrious Garhwal Rifles Regiment. Embracing the ethos of his regiment with pride, he trained rigorously and developed into a disciplined and capable soldier, respected among his comrades. On 27 July 1998, Lance Naik Prem Pal was deployed in the Batalik sector of Jammu & Kashmir, a volatile stretch of the Line of Control that saw frequent cross-border hostilities. During an engagement, his post came under sustained and heavy fire from three well-entrenched enemy positions. With the Automatic Grenade Launcher ammunition depleting rapidly, he volunteered to replenish it, moving out under withering artillery fire even after being struck in the thigh by a splinter. After first aid, he ventured out again to complete the vital task. At about 1345 hours, an enemy shell hit the kerosene barrels in the post, starting a fire that began spreading towards the ammunition bunker. Pre-empting catastrophe, Prem Pal ran into the open under intense machine gun and artillery fire and, though hit near the right shoulder, successfully extinguished the flames. While crawling back to his shelter, he was struck directly by an artillery shell and made the supreme sacrifice. For his extraordinary courage and gallantry beyond the call of duty, he was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.