Georgians Rashtriya Military Schools
Born on November 29, 1935, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, a trailblazer in India’s military history, earned the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
In the chronicles of military heroism, the saga of Captain 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 Captain 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
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria
1 Gorkha Rifles
05 Dec 1961
CongoCaptain Gurbachan Singh Salaria displayed indomitable courage, inspiring leadership and unflinching devotion to duty. Awarded #ParamVirChakra (Posthumous).
We pay our tribute!https://t.co/8CPGRwfhdT pic.twitter.com/DgU2IWf4v6
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 5, 2023
The UN operation in Congo, spanning from July 1960 to June 1964, beckoned Captain 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 Captain Salaria found himself a vital part of this contingent, with his unit, 3/1 Gorkha Rifles.
Georgian Lalit Kaul Corrected: [FB/lalit.kaul.3]
GEORGIAN Gurcharan Singh Salaria was commissioned in June 1957 and joined 2/3 GR in July 1957. Thereafter in March 1960 he was transferred to 3/1 GR. In March 1961 when with 3/1 GR he was sent on official posting to Congo with the UN Peace Keeping force there.
December 5, 1961, etched its place in history as Captain 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, Captain 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, Captain 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 Captain Salaria and his comrades.
The supreme sacrifice made by Captain 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, Captain 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.
