Lieutenant Prateek Acharya | 19 Grenadiers - The Honour Post
A young Grenadiers officer who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting his men during cross-border firing in the Chhamb sector
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Lieutenant Prateek Acharya of 19 Grenadiers made the supreme sacrifice on 27 September 1999 while serving in the Chhamb sector of Jammu during Operation Vijay.
Lieutenant Acharya was serving as a platoon commander at a forward position at Pallanwala in the Chhamb sector. On 27 September, Pakistani forces opened cross-border fire on the forward posts.
At around 1830 hours, mortar shells landed near the posts. Lieutenant Acharya immediately directed his troops to move into the bunkers and prepare for retaliatory action.
When he saw one of his soldiers moving to retrieve the platoon telephone set, Lieutenant Acharya pushed the soldier inside a bunker and himself went to retrieve the set.
After ensuring that his men were safe, Lieutenant Acharya was about to enter the bunker when he was struck by an 82 mm high explosive mortar bomb. He made the supreme sacrifice in the action.
For his courage, camaraderie and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Prateek Acharya was awarded the Sena Medal posthumously.
His supreme sacrifice remains part of the proud history of the Indian Army and 19 Grenadiers.
