Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Naib Subedar Ghan Bahadur Sahi |
| Rank during action | Rifleman |
| Regiment | 2/9 Gorkha Rifles |
| Service Number | 5834480 |
| Gallantry Award | Vir Chakra |
| War | Indo-Pak War, 1965 |
| Date of Action | 1 September 1965 |
| Place of Action | Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Opposition | Pakistani infiltrators |
| Rank mentioned in later records | Naib Subedar |
Naib Subedar Ghan Bahadur Sahi of 2/9 Gorkha Rifles is remembered for an act of exceptional courage during the Indo-Pak War of 1965. At the time of the action that brought him recognition, he was serving as a Rifleman. His courage, initiative and determination under enemy fire earned him the Vir Chakra, one of India’s distinguished military gallantry awards.
On 1 September 1965, a company of 2/9 Gorkha Rifles was proceeding towards Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir when it was ambushed by Pakistani infiltrators. The troops immediately responded to the attack, and one of the platoons began pursuing the enemy as they moved uphill.
During the advance, the platoon came under fire from an enemy light machine-gun position. The weapon halted the further progress of the troops and presented a serious danger to the men attempting to move forward.
It was in this difficult situation that Rifleman Ghan Bahadur Sahi displayed remarkable courage and initiative. Rather than allowing the enemy position to continue holding up the advance, he crawled forward towards it. Moving under the danger of enemy fire, he managed to reach a position behind the LMG emplacement.
From there, he attacked the soldier operating the weapon with his bayonet and killed him. Having neutralised the enemy position, Sahi then took control of the captured LMG and used it against the fleeing infiltrators. He continued firing at them and helped drive the enemy away from the area.
What made his actions particularly remarkable was the combination of courage and initiative involved. He was not merely responding to danger. He recognised that the enemy machine-gun was preventing his comrades from advancing and personally took the risk of moving towards the position. By reaching the enemy from behind, eliminating the LMG operator and then turning the captured weapon against the infiltrators, he helped change the course of the immediate engagement.
The action reflected the finest qualities expected of a soldier: courage in the face of danger, initiative under pressure, determination and devotion to duty. His actions also demonstrated the importance of individual bravery on the battlefield, where the decision of a single soldier can have a direct impact on the safety and progress of his comrades.
For his conspicuous bravery during the operation at Sonamarg, Rifleman Ghan Bahadur Sahi was awarded the Vir Chakra. His name subsequently became part of the distinguished gallantry record of 2/9 Gorkha Rifles.
His story is especially significant because of the circumstances in which his courage was displayed. He was a Rifleman when he carried out the action, facing an enemy machine-gun position that had brought his platoon’s advance to a halt. There was no certainty of what awaited him as he crawled towards the position, yet he continued forward and confronted the danger directly.
The courage shown by Ghan Bahadur Sahi was not confined to the act of reaching the enemy position. After neutralising the LMG operator, he did not withdraw immediately. Instead, he seized the opportunity created by his action and used the captured weapon against the infiltrators. His conduct showed the presence of mind and fighting spirit required in the midst of a rapidly developing battle.
The Gorkha Rifles have a long and distinguished history of service in the Indian Army, and the actions of soldiers such as Ghan Bahadur Sahi form an important part of that tradition. His conduct at Sonamarg demonstrated the determination with which soldiers have repeatedly faced difficult circumstances in defence of their comrades and the nation.
His later service saw him rise to the rank of Naib Subedar, carrying forward a military career that had already been marked by extraordinary courage. The Vir Chakra remained a lasting recognition of the bravery he displayed during the 1965 conflict.
More than a single gallantry citation, his story represents the courage of a soldier who refused to allow an enemy machine-gun position to dictate the fate of his comrades. When the advance was stopped, he moved forward. When he reached the enemy position, he neutralised the threat. And after capturing the weapon, he turned it against the enemy.
On 1 September 1965, at Sonamarg, Rifleman Ghan Bahadur Sahi demonstrated the meaning of courage, initiative and devotion to duty. His actions remain worthy of remembrance and respect.
The Honour Post salutes Naib Subedar Ghan Bahadur Sahi, Vir Chakra, and remembers with the deepest respect his courage, service and devotion to the nation. 🇮🇳
Lest We Forget.
