Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria: The story behind India’s only Param Vir Chakra earned on a UN mission

In the chronicles of military heroism, the saga of Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria unfolds as a chapter marked by audacity and unwavering commitment. Born on November 29, 1935, in Jamwal village near Shakargarh, Punjab, he would go on to become a trailblazer in the annals of India's military history. 

The seeds of Capt Salaria's illustrious journey were sown in the fertile grounds of military education. Commencing his academic and military training at the King George Royal Indian Military College in Bangalore in 1946, he later moved to the King George Royal Military College in Jalandhar (now Rashtriya Military School Chail, Himachal Pradesh). The foundation laid during these years shaped his character and prepared him for the challenges that lay ahead.

Subsequently, he joined the 9th batch of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, followed by the Indian Military Academy. In 1957, he received his commission into the esteemed 1 Gorkha Rifles, an infantry regiment renowned for its courageous soldiers and a storied history of battle exploits. 

The UN Operation in Congo: A decisive encounter 

The UN operation in Congo, spanning from July 1960 to June 1964, beckoned Capt Salaria to the forefront. Tasked with objectives ranging from the withdrawal of Belgian forces to preventing civil war and removing all foreign military personnel not under UN command, this mission was of paramount importance. India contributed the 99 Infantry Brigade for the operation in March 1961, and Capt Salaria found himself a vital part of this contingent, with his unit, 3/1 Gorkha Rifles. 

December 5, 1961, etched its place in history as Capt Salaria received a challenging mission: to dismantle roadblocks set up by rebels near the Elizabethville airfield in Katanga province. Leading a small force of 16 soldiers, supported by a 3-inch mortar, he confronted a formidable adversary. The rebel force, numbering up to 90 heavily armed men and equipped with two armored carriers, posed a significant threat.

Undeterred by the odds stacked against him, Capt Salaria decided to confront the rebels head-on. With the battle cry of the Gorkhas, "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali" (Victory to Mahakali, Gorkhas are here), he initiated a fierce assault. Exemplifying the motto of his regiment, "Kafir hunu bhanda marnu ramro" (It is better to die than to be a coward), he led his men with unmatched courage. 

An unyielding spirit and a posthumous Param Vir Chakra 

In the midst of the intense exchange of fire, Capt Salaria's indomitable spirit shone. Engaging in close combat, he eliminated a significant number of rebels. However, amidst the chaos, a burst of automatic fire struck him in the neck. Refusing to succumb to his injuries, he continued to fight valiantly. Eventually, he laid down his life, but not before the rebel force disintegrated under the sustained assault of Capt Salaria and his comrades. 

The supreme sacrifice made by Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria did not go unrecognized. Posthumously, he was conferred with the Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award in the country. His name became synonymous with cold courage, unfaltering leadership, and the epitome of sacrifice. 

In the vast landscape of military exploits, Capt Salaria's legacy endures as a beacon of bravery. His story transcends borders, inspiring generations to come, and stands as a testament to the courage that knows no boundaries when the pursuit is peace and justice.