Late Capt Clifford Keishing Nongrum first and only from Meghalaya to receive India’s second highest gallantry award, ‘Maha Vir Chakra’ for his bravery in Kargil war_
SHILLONG ,
Feb 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Centre in Srinagar of Kashmir has built Nongrum Auditorium, in Honour of Late Capt Clifford Keishing Nongrum of Meghalaya.
Born in a Christian family on March 1975 in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum was an officer of the 12th Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.
Captain Nongrum is the first and the only person from Meghalaya to have been awarded India’s second highest gallantry award, ‘Maha Vir Chakra’ for his bravery in the Kargil war.
His moment of valour came on July 1, 1999 when he and his platoon were assigned the task of capturing Point 4812.
He moved ahead from the south-eastern side to attack the enemy.
It was nearly an impossible vertical height that he had to climb but with his strong grit and determination, he was able to reach the top with his battalion. There they had to put up with a tough battle.
Captain Nongrum emerged as a strong leader who charged at the enemy with full force. He subsequently destroyed a bunker all by himself.
Without caring about his own safety, he threw grenades at the bunker and killed six enemy soldiers.
He fought hand-to-hand with Pakistani soldiers.
Though severely wounded, Captain Nongrum refused to be evacuated and fought valiantly.
Moving through the fire zone, he attacked another bunker before he was killed.
The regiment to which he proudly belonged has now come up with the monument in his memory.
The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army.
The regimental center is in Srinagar’s Airport Complex at Awantipora with a winter setup near Jammu. Its regimental insignia consists of a pair of crossed rifles.
The regiment mostly consists of volunteers from the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
