Chuni Lal

Naib Subedar Chuni Lal was an Indian Army soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (8 JAK LI). Decorated with Ashoka Chakra, Vir Chakra and Sena Medals, he is the most highly decorated Indian army soldier of all time.

Lal was born in Bhaderwah, and lived in Bhara village with his parents, Shanker Dass and Shakuntala Devi, in Doda district in Jammu.

He was killed in action on 24 June 2007 Three days later, on 24 June 2007, Lal was in charge of a post in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. Around 3:30 AM, he detected some movement across the fence on the Line of Control and deployed his soldiers to the area. An exchange of fire followed, which continued for almost an hour. Lal and his soldiers surrounded the whole area and searched for their assailants until dawn. Lal and his team were then fired upon by hidden attackers. The team continued to close on to the area where their attackers were hiding and killed two of them on the spot. Two Indian soldiers were seriously wounded in the gunfire, and lay close to where their attackers were hiding. Lal pulled the wounded men to safety, saving their lives. He continued to search the area and saw a third attacker trying to escape. Lal charged at him with his weapon and killed him. An exchange fire from the attacker split opened Lal's abdomen and he began to lose a lot of blood. He took cover behind a rock, continued to fire and did not allow the other attackers to break the cordon. Under his leadership the two remaining attackers were also killed.

Lal had lost a large volume of blood and died by the time a helicopter could airlift him to nearest army hospital. For his actions in battle, he was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra on 15 August 2007 for saving the lives of his fellow men, displaying most conspicuous bravery, demonstrating battle field leadership and laying down his life to protect the country.

Lal was survived by his wife Chinta Devi, and three children — a son and two daughters. His wife received his Ashok Chakra medal from the President of India at the Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2008.

Gallantry awards