The two Nagas that played decisive role in Kargil

Late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse and NK Imliakum Ao, awardees of the Mahavir Chakra are national heroes

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 26  

As India celebrates 17th Kargil Diwas on July 26, the official day when the Indian army declared victory in the ‘Kargil War’ (May – July 1999), two Nagas come to mind. India retook the high outposts and clears the Kargil sector of infiltration through ‘Operation Vijay.’  

They are late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse and NK Imliakum Ao, who were awarded the Mahavir Chakra (MVC) - great warrior medal, the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra.  

Sepoy Imliakum Ao from Chuchuyimpang Village, Mokokchung, who received the award on Republic Day, 2000, belongs to 2nd Battalion Naga Regiment.  

Born on July 25, 1976, he joined the infantry unit before the age of 17 in May 1994. His citation in the Indian Army MVC Awardees states that Sepoy ImliAkum Ao formed part of an Assault Group that was tasked to silence a sentry guarding the outer perimeter of an enemy mortar position on July 8, 1999. The mortar position was at a height of 15,000 feet in the Mushkoh Valley in Jammu and Kashmir.  

The account of the assault states that he neutralised the enemy sentry and another before storming the mortar position along with the assault group. The capture of the post resulted in the recovery of a huge stockpile of ammunition, including 120mm and 81mm mortar shells.  

According to a news report in In.com, it was a “life-threatening mission” but Ao “volunteered to destroy a Pakistani ammunition dump,” the lifeline of several mortars deployed in the Muskoh Valley during the Kargil war.  

“Not only did Havildar Ao accomplish the impossible mission successfully, he did so without a single casualty,” it said “using only his bare hand.”  

An officer in his regiment also told Mumbai Midday though he was injured in the assault, no one was killed and Ao was awarded the MVC for his single-handed assault.  

“He is a remarkable football player and archer. The unit loves him. He is very helpful and always ready to carry out impossible missions,” a young officer from Ao’s unit told the Midday.  

“His determination, grit, cool confidence and raw courage in the face of the enemy was exemplary in the true spirit and traditions of the Indian Army and the Regiment which was a factor in eliminating the enemy from the almost indomitable mortar position,” the Indian Army MVC citation reads.  

Imliakum Ao is presently in the 2nd Battalion, Jat Regiment.  

“The Naga warrior who walked on Ice”

Just 17 days short of his 25 birthday, Late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse of Nerhema village made the ultimate sacrifice on June 28, 1999. The sacrifice led to the capture of ‘Black Rock’ in Drass Sector, Jammu and Kashmir.  

He was an Army Service Corps (ASC) officer on attachment with the 2 Rajputana Rifles and had been commissioned barely six month earlier.  

Captain Kenguruse did his schooling at St. Xavier School, Jalukie and graduated from Kohima Science College. He served as a teacher in Government High School, Kohima from 1994 to 1997 before joining the Army.  

‘Nimbu Sahab’ to the Rajputs he commanded and remembered as the “The Naga warrior who walked on Ice” according to the Hindustan Times, he was Ghatak platoon commander during the attack on area 'Black Rock' in the Drass Sector on the night of June 28, 1999.  

According to Indian Army account, Captain Kenguruse led a commando team to take out a strategic machine post held by the enemy on a cliff face. This position, as per the account, was holding off the battalion’s progress in the sector.  

As the team scaled the cliff face, he was shot on the abdomen. Wounded and bleeding, he went on to scale a sheer rock wall barefoot, just beyond which lay the machine gun post. Clearing the wall, he fired his rocket launcher at the enemy position and charged firing from his rifle. He downed four men – two with his rifle and two more with his commando knife before his martyrdom.  

The account continued that he displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty making the supreme sacrifice in true traditions of the Indian Army.  

“Dad, we have won the battle of Totolling and have captured many enemies’ arms and ammunition but also have lost many of my colleagues who are near and dear to me. I may not be able to return home to be a part of our family again. Even if I don’t make it, do not grieve for me because I have already decided to give my best for the nation. I request you to make a small firm memorial for me and do remember me,” the brave warrior reportedly wrote to his father before his martyrdom.  

He became one of 527 soldiers, who made the supreme sacrifice for the country. Captain Kenguruse was posthumously awarded the MVC on August 15, 1999.