20 October 1962 | A tribute to courage and sacrifice
On 20 October 1962, Captain Mahabir Prasad displayed exceptional courage during the opening phase of the India-China War in the Namka Chu sector of the North-East Frontier Agency, now part of Arunachal Pradesh. He made the supreme sacrifice while serving in a critical Himalayan theatre where Indian troops faced overwhelming Chinese attacks.
Service in a Critical Sector
Captain Mahabir Prasad was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1957 and belonged to the Sikh Regiment. Accounts of the battle associate him with a Gorkha Rifles unit operating in the Namka Chu area. The sector's difficult terrain and exposed positions presented serious challenges to the Indian troops defending the frontier.
The Battle at Namka Chu
On 20 October 1962, Chinese forces launched a major assault against Indian positions in the Namka Chu area. Indian soldiers faced heavy and sustained fire in difficult mountain terrain. Captain Mahabir Prasad displayed courage and leadership during the fighting and made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Maha Vir Chakra
Captain Mahabir Prasad was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously in recognition of his gallantry. His name remains part of the history of the Indian soldiers who faced extraordinary adversity during the 1962 war.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Captain Mahabir Prasad, Maha Vir Chakra, who made the supreme sacrifice on 20 October 1962. His courage and devotion to duty deserve the nation's lasting respect.
