Lance Naik Albert Ekka was a soldier who served as a non-commissioned officer on the Eastern Front of the Indian Army during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his gallant actions in capturing the Pakistani position at Ganasagar in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) . On the evening of December 3, 1971, he was seriously injured while attacking an enemy machine gun position and was martyred.
Wiki/Biography
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born on Sunday, December 27, 1942, in Zari village, Gumla district, Bihar (now in Jharkhand) (died Only 28 years old). Albert wanted to be a soldier since he was a child. He also enjoys the sport of hunting as he was born and raised in a tribal community where hunting is practiced extensively. Albert can use a bow and arrow, and is quite skilled, so his marksmanship is far better than others. Albert Ekka also plays hockey and regularly participates in various regional level tournaments. It was during one such game that Albert was discovered by Major Subedar Soren of the 7th Bihar Regiment, who recruited Albert into the Bihar Regiment. On December 27, 1962, Albert joined the Bihar Regiment.
family and caste
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born into a Bihari Aboriginal family.
Parents and siblings
Father
His father’s name was Julius Aika.
Mother
His mother’s name is Mariam Aika.
wife
He married Balamdina Ekka in 1968. She passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021, at the age of 89.
Balamdina Ekka, wife of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC
son
Albert Ekka is survived by his only son, Vincent Ekka;
Vincent Aika, son of Albert Aika
Religion/Religious Views
Lance Neck Albert Eka was a Catholic.
address
He resides in Gumla, VPO Jari (Chainpuri), Jharkhand – 835206, India.
Profession
Lance Naik Albert Ekka joined the Bihar Regiment soon after the Sino-Indian war in 1962. Early in his service, Albert participated in counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast. After six years in the Army, in 1968, Albert was transferred from his parent company, the Bihar Regiment, to the newly formed 14th Battalion, Guards Brigade.
The Gangasagar complex must be captured
On the evening of December 3, 1971, the Pakistan Air Force bombed the forward air base of the Indian Air Force, leading to all-out hostility between India and Pakistan. In order to curb the Indian invasion of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the Pakistan Army built a strong defense force in and around the Gangasagar complex. The area is just six kilometers from the capital of the Indian state of Tripura, making it a threat to any invasion by Pakistan. Gangasagar complex includes Gangasagar railway station, Mogra, Gurganail and Triangle area.
The battle of Gangasagar begins
The decision to detach 14 Guardsmen attached to the 73 Mountain Brigade to capture the Gangasagar complex will eliminate any threat of a Pakistani attack on Agartala. According to the plan, Alpha Company and Bravo Company were to move and defend Gangasagar railway station, while Charlie Company and Delta Company were to occupy and defend the Mogla, Gurgan Ghar and Triangle areas. On the night of December 3, 1971, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, a member of the Bravo Company, attacked the Gangasagar railway station. The station was heavily defended by the enemy and all the gaps were blocked by the enemy as they realized that an Indian attack was imminent. The attacking Indian troops came under heavy fire and bombardment from enemy artillery and mortars.
The wounded Albert pounced on the enemy like a tiger
While leading the charge during close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, Lance Naik Albert Ekka saw an enemy machine gun bunker nearby and knew someone had to take action. Because it caused a large number of Indian casualties, there was no need to worry about his life. Aika quietly crawled near the bunker and used his bayonet to suppress the enemy’s machine gun fire. During this time, Albert sustained injuries to his arms and neck, but continued his attacks on Pakistani troops. After clearing bunker after bunker, a Pakistani medium machine gun post on the second floor of a heavily guarded railway signaling building opened fire on the advancing Indian troops, not only hindering their advance but also causing casualties. Albert once again decided to do what was necessary. He crawled to the enemy MMG building and quickly threw a grenade. There were two Pakistani soldiers guarding the machine gun position, one of whom was killed and the other injured, but this did not stop the machine gun fire. Albert decided to climb the steep face of the fortifications. Reaching the machine gunner, Albert killed him with his bayonet.
Author Rachna Bisht Rawat writes in her book The Brave Paramveer Chakra Story:
Aika climbed an old rusty ladder, limped into the building, and jumped in through the window where he had thrown the grenade. He removed his rifle from his shoulder and attacked the surviving Pakistani soldiers with his shining bayonet. He clearly remembers his teacher’s teaching, “Ghop nikal, ghop nikal”. Smoke billowed from his machine gun as the Pakistani soldier fell. The blood of the dead Pakistani soldier splattered Aika’s face. He wiped him with his uniform sleeve. The satisfaction of success can be seen in his eyes. ”
Awards
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was awarded the Param Vir Chakra in recognition of the greatest gallantry displayed by him for his actions on the battlefield which forced the enemy to retreat. On January 26, 1972, Albert was posthumously awarded the medal.
Balamdina Ekka, wife of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, received the Param Vir Chakra from President VV Giri on behalf of her husband on January 26, 1972
Honor
- For his support and sacrifice for the liberation of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh government posthumously awarded Lance Naik Albert Aika the honor of “Friend of the Liberation War” .
- On December 3, 1978, the Army Postal Service issued a cover commemorating the martyr.
On December 3, 1978, the Army Post Office issued a cover letter in memory of Lance-Naik Albert Ekka, PVC
- On January 26, 2000, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Indian Constitution, the Indian government issued a special commemorative stamp of Albert Aika to commemorate the heroic deeds of this martyr.
Albert Ekka stamp issued on January 26, 2000
- The Jharkhand government has named one of the major intersections in Ranchi as Albert Ekka Chowk.
Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- A majestic bust of Lance Naik Albert Aika was erected in his memory near the main entrance of the 4th Army headquarters in Tezpur.
die
Lance Neck Albert Eka was seriously wounded during his first encounter with an enemy machine gun post. As Albert and his company advanced toward the north of the town, he again came under heavy fire from the enemy’s medium machine guns. Albert acted quickly, threw a grenade into the bunker, and quickly killed the remaining machine gun crew members with his bayonet. During the action, Albert was mortally wounded and, after achieving his objective and preventing his company from suffering further casualties, succumbed to his wounds.
Company Commander Lance Naik Albert Ekka, then Colonel OP Kohli said:
Seeing this scene filled my chest with pride. I’m waiting for Aika to come out of the building below. I also saw a thin man coming down the stairs. I watched him descend. Suddenly, Aika’s body relaxed and fell to the ground. ”
Facts/Trivia
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka is the only Param Vir Chakra recipient operating in erstwhile East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh).
- He was the first soldier to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was one of the four recipients of the medal during the war.
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka is buried in Sripalli village of Dukli, south of Agartala.
- Abbott used to wear baggy clothes, including his uniform, for which he was often scolded by his superiors for poor turnout.
- Lance Neck Albert Eka was extremely shy and found it difficult to get along with his comrades and superiors in the battalion.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education