Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born on December 27 1942 in the Jari village of Chainpur. He was a soldier in the Indian Army who was one of the bravest recipient of the highest gallantry award the Param Vir Chakra. He was awarded this gallantry award posthumously for his courageous actions in the Battle of Hilli during the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971. Lance Naik Albert Ekka was also the recipient of other awards and honours. On the day of 50th Republic Day,in the year 2000, the Government of India issued a postal stamp in the honour of Albert Ekka. A district subdivision in Gumlahas was made in the name of Albert Ekka.
Battle of Gangasagar, Bangladesh
Lance Naik was assigned in the battalion of the Brigade of Guards during a defensive attack on the enemy platoon at the Ganagasagar on the Eastern front of Bangladesh. It was a hand to hand combat between the Indian battalion and the enemies troops, sooner Lance Naik Albert Ekka realized that a light machine-gun (LMG) from the enemy’s side was causing many casualities to his battalion. This made him completely fearless and he unflinchingly attacked the enemy bunker and bayoneted two soliders from the enemy’s side and crushed the light machine gun. Lance Naik Albert Ekka had only one and one objective that is to clear the enemy bunkers. From the northern end a medium machine-gun (MMG) was opened up that caused many severe casualities to the indian battalion but once again this brave man moved forward without bothering for his own life and very bravely faced the heavy firing from the enemy’s side.
He threw a grenade in that bunker that killed one of the enemy solider and injured the rest of them. This determined and brave-hearted solider succeeded in entering the enemy’s bunker and finally trashed the enemy soliders who were continuously firing from the MMGs. In this way Lance Naik Albert Ekka could stop the further casualities caused to his crew members. He was himself badly injured but for him; fulfilling his duty was far more important and above than his injuries. After he accomplished his objective and succeeded in the defensive attack he finally surrendered his life to the motherland. His dauntless bravery and determination made him a Param Vir. He died on December 3rd 1971.
What he did ?