Captain Gurbachan S. Salaria

 

The war hero who was martyred while maintaining peace.

  

Early Life/Education 

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was born on 29 November 1935 in Shakargarh, Punjab State of undivided India. His father's name was Munshi Ram and mother's name was Dhan Devi. His parents had five children, out of which he was the second child.

His father was in Hodson's Horse Regiment. Gurbachan had heard the stories of his father and the army since childhood, due to which his motivation to join the army became inevitable. After the partition of India and Pakistan, his family settled in the Jungle village of Gurdaspur, Punjab, India. Finally, he got admission in National Defense Academy in 1956 after two failures. Then went to the Indian Military Academy in 1957.

The Event: The Song Of Bravery

In June 1960, the Republic of Congo became independent from the Belgian country, but in the month of July, the situation got out of control when there was a rebellion in the army of Congo. This violence took place between whites and blacks. As soon as the situation became uncontrollable, the government sent troops to save the white people of Belgium, but by now the violent group had taken control of two cities of Congo. The first Katanga and the second South Kasai.

This rebellion was suppressed in Belgium, but the Congo government sought help from the United Nations on 14 July 1960.

As soon as the demand for help was received, the United Nations sent a peacekeeping force. Soldiers from many countries were included in this army. From March to June 1961, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria also reached Congo with 3000 soldiers of the 99th Infantry Brigade under the leadership of Brigadier K.A.S. Raja. The United Nations tried several times to hold talks between the government of Congo and the rebels of Katanga. Tried to negotiate. But all proved in vain. Then the UN peacekeeping force was ordered to use force.

Katanga rebels had set up road blocks throughout the city. Major Ajit Singh of 1 Gorkha Rifles, an Indian soldier accompanying the peace force, was captured.

Later he was killed by rebels. After this, he instructed the UN to deal with the rebels strictly. It is a matter of 4 December 1961. Katanga rebels had set up several roadblocks between the city of Elizabethville and its nearest airport. After this, the United Nations army started Operation Unokat.

On 5 December 1961, the 3rd Battalion of the 1 Gorkha Rifles was assigned the task of clearing roadblocks. Because commuting from Elizabethville airport was not possible. 150 Katanga rebels had ambushed around these roadblocks. There were two armoured vehicles there. The first plan was that Major Govind Sharma of Charlie Company would attack. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was with a platoon of Alpha Company. They were near the airport road. The aim was to eliminate the rebels if they attack and not let them escape. Apart from that, the entire Alpha Company was stationed in the reserve. In the afternoon, the responsibility of removing roadblocks was given. It was also said to eliminate the rebels. Captain Salaria and his fellow soldiers reached the spot. Hiding behind a roadblock about 1400 metres away. He then blew up two of the rebels' armoured vehicles with his rocket launcher. The Katanga rebels were upset and shocked by this attack. They did not understand from where this attack happened suddenly. Salaria said on the radio that I am going to attack them. And only we will win.

The loss For Peace

The number of soldiers in Captain Salaria's platoon was much less than that of the rebels. But where is the Gorkha going to believe? Giving the war cry of Ayo Gorkhali, these people attacked the rebels with Kukri. Salaria and his comrades killed 40 rebels with the attack of Kukri. Seeing this, the rest of the rebels ran away. But during this time two bullets fired by the rebels had pierced Salaria's neck. Victory had already been achieved. But a red martyr of Mother India had already died.

Soldier Of The World For the world 

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria laid down his life not only for India but for the whole world and for the peace of this beautiful world. Seeing what Captain Salaria did for the country and the world on December 5, 1961, the Government of India honoured him posthumously with the Paramvir Chakra.

Patriots like captain Gurbachan S. Singh will always be a matter of pride for us Indians and future generations of India

will also learn something or the other from his dedicated life for the country and the world.