Naik Urba Datt SC

Naik Urba Datt hailed from Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand.  Son of Shri Ram Datt and Smt Rama Devi, he joined the Army after completing his school education. He was recruited into the 3 Kumaon Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its dauntless soldiers and numerous battle exploits. 

Srinagar Operation: 23/24 Feb 1998

During 1998,  Nk Urba Datt's unit 3 Kumaon was deployed in Srinagar in J&K. The unit was engaged in counter-insurgency operations and faced challenging situations regularly. On February 23, 1998, specific intelligence was received that some terrorists were hiding in Saloor village of Srinagar with the intention to plot explosives on the way of the convoy of VIPs passing through that route. As a result, on the same night around 2100 hrs, Sofi Mohalla of that village was cordoned off by the army. Naik Urba Datt was part of the team conducting the search and cordon operation that continued over the next day too. The next day at 1100h in the morning while searching the last house of the locality Naik Urba Datt noticed some suspicious movement in the heap of hay on the rooftop.

Naik Urba Datt immediately swung into action and fired at the suspected terrorists. However, they jumped off the rooftop into the Nala and ran towards the jungle of Brari Nambal. Naik Urba Dutt without caring for his safety jumped on the Nala and chased the terrorists with a daunting spirit. Despite being severely injured, he gunned down one militant and wounded another militant who succumbed to his injuries later on. However, Naik Urba Datt also succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Naik Urba Datt displayed outstanding courage and gallantry and laid down his life in the line of duty. Naik Urba Datt was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra” posthumously on 26 Jan 1999, for his commendable bravery, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. 

The citation for "Shaurya  Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On the day of February 23, 1998, specific intelligence was received that some terrorists are hiding in the Saloor village of Srinagar with the intention to plot explosives on the way of the convoy of VIPs passing through that route. On the same night around 2100h, Sofi Mohalla of that village was cordoned by the army. The next day at 1100h in the morning while searching the last house of the locality Naik Urba Datt noticed some suspicious movement in the heap of hay on the rooftop. He immediately fired however the terrorists jumped off the rooftop into the Nala and ran towards the jungle of Nambal. To this, Naik Urba Dutt too jumped on the Nala and chased the terrorists with a daunting spirit. Despite being severely injured, he gunned down one militant and wounded another militant who succumbed to his injuries later on. This brave soldier also succumbed to his injuries and got martyred.

Naik Urba Datt displayed indomitable courage and exemplary valor and laid down his supreme sacrifice on the line of duty for the nation.