Allegiance India Name Lalit Rai Relations Wife and Two daughters | Battles and wars Kargil War Service/branch Infantry/11 GR Role Armed force officer | |
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Born 24 January 1956Dehradun ( 1956-01-24 ) Commands held 1/11 GORKHA RIFLES (Bravest of the Brave), 17 RASHTRIYA RIFLES(MARATHA LI) Other work [[Controller, Human Resources Development at Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd] [President, Human Resources Development and Administration Panchshil Realty]] | ||
Tree public col lalit rai
Colonel Lalit Rai, VrC is a former officer of the Indian Army who was decorated in the Kargil War. As the commanding officer (CO) of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, he was tasked with capturing the strategic heights of Khalubar in the Batalik sub-sector during the Kargil War.
Contents
- Tree public col lalit rai
- Col lalit rai vrc of the indian army kargil war story
- Early life and education
- Early military career
- Operation Vijay
- In popular culture
- Present Life
- References
Col lalit rai vrc of the indian army kargil war story
Early life and education
Lalit Rai was born in Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, India (now in Uttarakhand), on 24 January 1956 in a Nepali family. He attended the Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science from Sri Sathya Sai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, which was affiliated to Bangalore University at the time. He has a postgraduate degree in Management from the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, India and Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA.
Early military career
Rai was commissioned into 7/11 Gorkha Rifles (7th battalion, 11 Gorkha Rifles). After a number of instructional and staff appointments, he was assigned to command 17 Rashtriya Rifles (17 RR) conducting counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. He was stationed with 17 RR until after 1/11 Gorkha Rifles were sent to Batalik sector, Kargil. In May 1999, he was asked by the Colonel Of The Regiment, Lt. Gen. J B S Yadava AVSM VrC VSM, to take command of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, and Rai accepted.
Operation Vijay
The first unit deployed during Operation Vijay was 1/11 GR (1st battalion, 11 Gorkha Rifles), who were specialists in high-altitude warfare. Col. Rai was the battalion's CO. One of his platoons was led by Captain Manoj Pandey (later PVC).
During the advance, Indian troops were pinned down by effective and heavy volume of enemy fire. Realising the danger of getting day lighted in this vulnerable position, Colonel Rai ordered 5 Platoon to clear the interfering enemy positions while he himself led a handful of troops, available in front, to reach the top. The enemy, sensing the danger, counter-attacked these troops from three sides with 30-40 personnel. During this counterattack, Colonel Rai was injured in the knee. Despite his injury, he exhorted and encouraged his troops to fight courageously by setting a very high standard of bravery. He refused to be evacuated till such time the objective was captured. This act boosted the morale of his troops who regrouped and captured the objective in one charge. This capture turned out to be the turning point in the battle of the Batalik sub-sector. This operation accounted for killing of 25 enemy soldiers and capture of large amount of arms and ammunition including a Stinger missile, air defence guns and important documents.
For his exemplary leadership and outstanding bravery, he was conferred the Vir Chakra on August 15, 1999, by the President of India. This honor recognized his valor and significant contributions under challenging circumstances.
In popular culture
In the 2003 war film LOC Kargil, Sudesh Berry played the role of Col. Lalit Rai.
Present Life
Col. Rai is presently the President, Human Resources Development and Administration, of a leading Realty & Hospitality Company.
