Mahavir Chakra (MVC)
Awardee: Lal Bahadur Khattri MVC, VrC
Citation
On the night of 17 May 1948 at Poonch, D' Company, 3/9 Gorkha Rifles was ordered to capture a pimple on the right of a high feature. The platoon commander having been wounded. Havildar Lal Bahadur Khattri took over command. The platoon under his leadership secured the whole of the ring contour. Shortly afterwards the enemy put in a counter-attack in 'great strength to regain the position. The ammunition in the platoon was fast dwindling and some men, losing heart, started to crawl back. But Havildar Khattri remained in his position all along and faced the advancing enemy with undaunted courage, keeping him at bay.
Meanwhile, one rifleman of his platoon was mortally wounded. Havildar Khattri went forward in the face of virtual death to pull this rifleman out. When he ran short of grenades, he started hurling stones at the advancing enemy while with his left hand he evacuated the rifleman to a place of safety. This dauntless courage of their leader helped the men regain their spirit and the enemy's counter-attack was beaten back with 14 dead. This was an outstanding example of gallantry which saved the battalion from a serious set back at a most crucial time.
Meanwhile, one rifleman of his platoon was mortally wounded. Havildar Khattri went forward in the face of virtual death to pull this rifleman out. When he ran short of grenades, he started hurling stones at the advancing enemy while with his left hand he evacuated the rifleman to a place of safety. This dauntless courage of their leader helped the men regain their spirit and the enemy's counter-attack was beaten back with 14 dead. This was an outstanding example of gallantry which saved the battalion from a serious set back at a most crucial time.