Chief Minister, IGAR (N) pay tribute
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 26
Late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, Maha Vir Chakra, who was killed on duty during the Kargil war of 1999 was honoured today during the 19th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Nerhe Phezha, 18 km away from Kohima.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Maj General PC Nair, YSM, Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) laid wreaths on the memorial site. Two minute silence was observed in remembrance of soldiers who laid down their lives during Kargil war 1999. Paying homage to Capt. Kenguruse, Rio said: “it is a special occasion to remember the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers to protect the people and to uphold the nation. “Captain Kenguruse is an icon for all especially the youth to emulate.”
He added that Kenguruse had left behind a mark for all to show courage and service for the people.
Major General Nair meanwhile said Kenguruse’s role in holding up an attack was instrumental in catching the opposing side by surprise and in the process he made the supreme sacrifice.
Captain S Dwivedi said the Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 every year in honour of Kargil war heroes and is named after the success of ‘Operation Vijay.’ The legacy of Kargil war heroes is as vast and varied as India itself. In this war, a total of 527 soldiers of Indian Army sacrificed their lives. Captain Kenguruse was one among them.
Kenguruse was born in Nerhema village under Kohima district on 15th July, 1974. He was commissioned into 2nd Rajputana Rifles on 12th December 1998.
Dwivedi said his moment of valour came when he was part of 'Operation Vijay’. He was the Ghatak Platoon Commander during the attack on area 'Black Rock' on the night of 28th June, 1999. He volunteered to undertake a commando mission of attacking an enemy machine gun post on a cliff face.
At a height of 16000 feet and freezing temperature of -10 degrees, he took off his shoes to get a good grip and scaled the rock wall along with the rocket launcher and fired at the bunker.
He charged at the enemy and personally killed two men with his Rifles and another two with his commando knife in hand to hand combat before succumbing to his injuries. He single handedly neutralized the enemy bunker which held up the battalion's progress, Dwivedi stated.
“Kenguruse displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and supreme sacrifice in the face of enemy, in true tradition of the Indian Army, for which he was honoured with Maha Vir Chakra posthumously,” he added. Meanwhile, Neiselie Kenguruse, father of Lt. Captain Neikezhakuo thanked the IGAR (North) for successfully organizing the 19th Vijay Diwas in honour of his son and further requested the people to uphold the family members of the slain soldiers in their prayers.
