Albert Ekka
Encyclopedia
Lance Naik Albert Ekka (1942–71) was a soldier in the Indian army
. He died in service in the Battle of Hilli
, during the Bangladesh Liberation War
of 1971. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra
, India's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy.
Albert Ekka was born on 27 December 1942, in Jari village of Chainpur tehsil Ranchi
tehsil of Ranchi district
(now Gumla district
) in the India
n state of Bihar (now Jharkhand
). His father's name was Julius Ekka and he hailed from a Christian
Oraon
family. On 27 December 1962, at the age of 20, Albert was enrolled in the 14 Guards of the Indian army
.
Albert Ekka was attached) was tasked to capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, near Akhaura, on the border between the Indian state of Tripura
and present-day Bangladesh
.
It was a well-fortified position, held in good strength by the enemy. The reduction of this position was considered necessary, as it was the key to the capture of Akhaura. The 14 Guards launched an attack on enemy positions at 0400 hours on 4 December 1971. Lance Naik Ekka went with the left forward company of the battalion in the attack.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was in the left forward company of a battalion of the Brigade of Guards during their attack on this well-fortified enemy position. The India
n troops came under intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire, but they pushed on regardless, and were soon engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The assault group was pinned down by a light machine-gun (LMG), fired from one of the Pakistan
i bunkers, inflicting heavy casualties. Observing the position of the LMG, Ekka, with complete disregard for his personal safety charged the enemy bunker, bayonet
ing two enemy soldiers and silenced the LMG.
Though seriously wounded in this encounter, Lance Naik Albert Ekka continued fighting as he and his fellow soldiers they cut a swath through the enemy lines, clearing bunker after bunker for a distance of 1.5 km. They had almost accomplished their objective when a medium machine-gun (MMG) opened up from the second storey of a well-fortified building, inflicting heavy casualties and holding up their progress.
Once again, Ekka, despite his serious injury and heavy fire, crawled forward till he reached the building and threw a grenade into the bunker
killing one enemy soldier and injuring the other. However, the MMG was still firing. Ekka scaled a side wall, entered the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier holding the MMG nest, and silenced the MMG. By doing this, he saved his company from suffering more casualties and ensured the success of the attack. In this process, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective.
As a result of the fall of Gangasagar, the southern and southwestern flanks of Akhaura were exposed and the enemy rear was threatened. As a result, the enemy was forced to vacate Akhaura.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed valour and determination and made a great sacrifice for the Army. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra
, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for displaying conspicuous bravery and determination.
. In 2000, on the occasion of 50th Republic day, the Government of India
issued a postal stamp in his memory. The son of Ranchi
was honored by naming the major intersection in front of Firayalal store as Albert Ekka Chowk that also bears his statue. A block (district subdivision) in Gumla
has also been created in his name.
awarded to him reads:
LANCE NAIK ALBERT EKKA
14 GUARDS (NO 4239746)
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was in the left forward company of a battalion of the Brigade of Guards during their attack on the enemy defences at Gangasagar on the Eastern front. This was a well-fortified position held in strength by the enemy. The assaulting troops were subjected to intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire, but they charged onto the objective and were locked in bitter hand-to-hand combat. Lance Naik Albert Ekka noticed an enemy light machine-gun (LMG) inflicting heavy casualties on his company. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker, bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the LMG. Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades through the mile deep objective, clearing bunker after bunker with undaunted courage. Towards the northern end of the objective one enemy medium machine-gun (MMG) opened up from the second storey of a well-fortified building inflicting heavy casualties and holding up the attack. Once again this gallant soldier, without a thought for his personal safety, despite his serious injury and the heavy volume of enemy fire, crawled forward till he reached the building and lobbed a grenade into the bunker killing one enemy soldier and injuring the other. The MMG however continued to fire. With outstanding courage and determination Lance Naik Albert Ekka scaled a side wall and entering the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier who was still firing and thus silenced the machine-gun, saving further casualties to his company and ensuring the success of the attack. In this process however, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective.
In this action, Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed the most conspicuous valour and determination and made the supreme sacrifice in the best traditions of the Army.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. He died in service in the Battle of Hilli
Battle of Hilli
The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh...
, during the Bangladesh Liberation War
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
of 1971. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
, India's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy.
Albert Ekka was born on 27 December 1942, in Jari village of Chainpur tehsil Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
tehsil of Ranchi district
Ranchi District
Ranchi district is one of the twenty-four districts of Jharkhand state in eastern India. Ranchi city, the capital of Jharkhand state is the district headquarters.As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Jharkhand .-Origin of name:...
(now Gumla district
Gumla District
Gumla district is one of the twenty-four districts of Jharkhand state, India, and Gumla town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-Etymology:...
) in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Bihar (now Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
). His father's name was Julius Ekka and he hailed from a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Oraon
Oraon
The Oraon उरांव or Kurukh कुड़ुख tribe , also spelled Uraon, Oran, or Oram, are tribal aborigines inhabiting various states across central and eastern India as well as Bangladesh...
family. On 27 December 1962, at the age of 20, Albert was enrolled in the 14 Guards of the Indian army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
.
During War
War broke out between India and Pakistan on December 3, 1971. On the very first day of this 14-day war, 14 Guards (to which Lance NaikLance Naik
Lance Naik is the equivalent rank to Lance Corporal in the Pakistan and Indian Armies and before 1947, in the British Indian Army, ranking below Naik. In cavalry units the equivalent is Acting Lance Daffadar. Like a British Lance Corporal, he wore a single rank chevron....
Albert Ekka was attached) was tasked to capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, near Akhaura, on the border between the Indian state of Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
and present-day Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
It was a well-fortified position, held in good strength by the enemy. The reduction of this position was considered necessary, as it was the key to the capture of Akhaura. The 14 Guards launched an attack on enemy positions at 0400 hours on 4 December 1971. Lance Naik Ekka went with the left forward company of the battalion in the attack.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was in the left forward company of a battalion of the Brigade of Guards during their attack on this well-fortified enemy position. The India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n troops came under intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire, but they pushed on regardless, and were soon engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The assault group was pinned down by a light machine-gun (LMG), fired from one of the Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i bunkers, inflicting heavy casualties. Observing the position of the LMG, Ekka, with complete disregard for his personal safety charged the enemy bunker, bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
ing two enemy soldiers and silenced the LMG.
Though seriously wounded in this encounter, Lance Naik Albert Ekka continued fighting as he and his fellow soldiers they cut a swath through the enemy lines, clearing bunker after bunker for a distance of 1.5 km. They had almost accomplished their objective when a medium machine-gun (MMG) opened up from the second storey of a well-fortified building, inflicting heavy casualties and holding up their progress.
Once again, Ekka, despite his serious injury and heavy fire, crawled forward till he reached the building and threw a grenade into the bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
killing one enemy soldier and injuring the other. However, the MMG was still firing. Ekka scaled a side wall, entered the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier holding the MMG nest, and silenced the MMG. By doing this, he saved his company from suffering more casualties and ensured the success of the attack. In this process, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective.
As a result of the fall of Gangasagar, the southern and southwestern flanks of Akhaura were exposed and the enemy rear was threatened. As a result, the enemy was forced to vacate Akhaura.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed valour and determination and made a great sacrifice for the Army. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for displaying conspicuous bravery and determination.
Awards and Honor
Lance-Naik Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded India's highest wartime gallantry award, the Param Vir ChakraParam Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
. In 2000, on the occasion of 50th Republic day, the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
issued a postal stamp in his memory. The son of Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
was honored by naming the major intersection in front of Firayalal store as Albert Ekka Chowk that also bears his statue. A block (district subdivision) in Gumla
Gumla
Gumla is a town which is also headquarters of Gumla district of Jharkhand state, India.-History:Long ago Gumla was a small hamlet. Fair ‘Gau-Mela‘ took place once in a year and continued for one week. Here all items of daily use, utensils, ornaments, grains, cattle etc. were sold & exchanged...
has also been created in his name.
Citation
The citation for the Param Vir ChakraParam Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
awarded to him reads:
Brigade of the Guards
Brigade of The Guards is a regiment of the Indian Army. It is the first "All India" mixed "All Class" Composition Infantry Regiment of the Army where troops from all parts of India serve together in various battalions of the Regiment...
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was in the left forward company of a battalion of the Brigade of Guards during their attack on the enemy defences at Gangasagar on the Eastern front. This was a well-fortified position held in strength by the enemy. The assaulting troops were subjected to intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire, but they charged onto the objective and were locked in bitter hand-to-hand combat. Lance Naik Albert Ekka noticed an enemy light machine-gun (LMG) inflicting heavy casualties on his company. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker, bayoneted two enemy soldiers and silenced the LMG. Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades through the mile deep objective, clearing bunker after bunker with undaunted courage. Towards the northern end of the objective one enemy medium machine-gun (MMG) opened up from the second storey of a well-fortified building inflicting heavy casualties and holding up the attack. Once again this gallant soldier, without a thought for his personal safety, despite his serious injury and the heavy volume of enemy fire, crawled forward till he reached the building and lobbed a grenade into the bunker killing one enemy soldier and injuring the other. The MMG however continued to fire. With outstanding courage and determination Lance Naik Albert Ekka scaled a side wall and entering the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier who was still firing and thus silenced the machine-gun, saving further casualties to his company and ensuring the success of the attack. In this process however, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective.
In this action, Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed the most conspicuous valour and determination and made the supreme sacrifice in the best traditions of the Army.
See also
- Jai Hind Jai Bharat
- GumlaGumlaGumla is a town which is also headquarters of Gumla district of Jharkhand state, India.-History:Long ago Gumla was a small hamlet. Fair ‘Gau-Mela‘ took place once in a year and continued for one week. Here all items of daily use, utensils, ornaments, grains, cattle etc. were sold & exchanged...
- Ranchi LocalitiesRanchi LocalitiesRanchi is the capital city of Jharkhand state, India. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar. Jharkhand was formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the districts of Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas divisions of Bihar...
- Battle of HilliBattle of HilliThe Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh...