Lance Naik Albert Ekka was a soldier who served in the Indian Army as a non-commissioned officer on the Eastern Front during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his courageous actions during the capture of Pakistani positions at Gangasagar during the Battle of Gangasagar in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He was martyred after being seriously injured while attacking an enemy machine gun position on the night of 3 December 1971.
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Wiki/Biography
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was born on Sunday, 27 December 1942 (age 28 at the time of death) in Jari village, Gumla district, Bihar (now in Jharkhand). Albert wanted to become a soldier since childhood. He also loved hunting sports, as he was born and raised in a tribal community, where hunting was practiced extensively. Albert knew how to use a bow and arrow and was very good at it, as a result of which his marksmanship qualities were far superior to others. Albert Ekka also played hockey and often participated in various district level tournaments. In one such tournament, Major Bhagirath Soren, Subedar of the 7th Bihar Regiment, noticed Albert and included Albert in the Bihar Regiment. On 27 December 1962, Albert joined the Bihar Regiment.
family and caste
Lance Naik Albert Ekka belonged to a Bihari tribal family.
parents and siblings
Father
His father’s name was Julius Ekka.
Mother
His mother’s name was Mariam Ekka.
Wife
He married Balmadina Ekka in 1968. He died on Friday, 16 April 2021, at the age of 89.
Balmadina Ekka, wife of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC
Son
Albert Ekka is survived by his only son Vincent Ekka.
Vincent Ekka, son of Albert Ekka
religion/religious views
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was a Catholic Christian.
Address
He lived in Gumla, VPO Jari (Chainpuri), Jharkhand – 835206, India.
livelihood
Lance Naik Albert Ekka joined the Bihar Regiment soon after the end of the India-China War of 1962. During the initial phase of his service, Albert was involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North East. After serving in the army for six years, in 1968, Albert was transferred from his native Bihar Regiment to the newly formed 14th Battalion of the Brigade of Guards.
Gangasagar complex had to be captured
On the evening of 3 December 1971, Pakistan Air Force bombed the forward airbase of Indian Air Force, which led to complete hostility between India and Pakistan. In an effort to prevent an Indian invasion of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the Pakistani Army built a strong defense in and around the Gangasagar complex. The district was only six kilometers away from the capital of the Indian state of Tripura and, therefore, was vulnerable to any invasion originating from Pakistan. The Gangasagar complex included Gangasagar Railway Station, Mogra, Gol Gangel and Triangle.
Battle of Gangasagar begins
It was decided that a unit of 14 Guards, a part of 73 Mountain Brigade, would be detached to capture the Gangasagar complex, eliminating any threat of a Pakistani attack on Agartala. According to the plan, Alpha and Bravo Companies would capture and secure Gangasagar Railway Station while Charlie and Delta Companies would capture and secure Mogra, Gol Gangel and Triangle. On the night of 3 December 1971, Lance Naik Albert Ekka of Bravo Company attacked the Gangasagar railway station. This station was heavily defended by the enemy and all the gaps were filled by the enemy as they were aware of the impending Indian attack. The attacking Indian forces faced heavy shelling and enemy artillery and mortar bombardment.
Wounded Albert pounced on the enemy like a lion.
While manning the front in hand-to-hand combat, Lance Naik Albert Ekka spotted an enemy machine-gun bunker located nearby, he knew someone had to do something about it as it was causing a lot of Indian casualties, so Without fearing life, Ekka quietly crawled near the bunker and silenced the enemy machine-gun fire with his bayonet. During this, Albert got injured in his hand and neck but he continued attacking the Pakistani Army. After clearing the bunkers one after another, a Pakistani medium machine gun post located on the second floor of a heavily guarded and strong railway signaling building began firing in heavy volume at the advancing Indian troops, preventing not only Stopped but are also causing casualties. Albert once again decided to take necessary steps. He crawled near the enemy MMG building and quickly threw the grenade. Two Pakistani soldiers were manning the machine gun nest, one of whom was killed and the other injured, but this did not stop the machine gun firing. Albert decided to climb the steep walls of the fortified position. Reaching the machine gunner, Albert killed him with his bayonet.
In her book, The Brave Param Vir Chakra Stories, author Rachana Bisht Rawat wrote,
Ekka climbed the old rusty ladder and limped into the building and jumped out of the window through which he had thrown the grenade. He removed the rifle from his shoulder and attacked the surviving Pakistani soldier with its shining bayonet. He well remembered his Guru’s teaching ‘Ghop Nikal, Ghop Nikal’. When the Pakistani soldier fell, smoke was coming out from his machine gun. The blood of a dead Pakistani soldier was splattered on Ekka’s face. He wiped it with the sleeve of his uniform. The satisfaction of success could be read in his eyes.”
award
For displaying the greatest form of gallantry, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his actions on the battlefield, which forced the enemy to retreat. Albert was awarded the medal posthumously on 26 January 1972.
Balmadina Ekka, wife of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, received the Param Vir Chakra from President VV Giri on 26 January 1972 on behalf of her husband.
Respect
- For his support and sacrifice for the liberation of Bangladesh, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded the ‘Friends of Liberation War’ honor by the Government of Bangladesh.
- On 3 December 1978, the Army Postal Service Corps issued a cover in honor of the martyr.
3 December 1978, Army Postal Service issued a cover letter in honor of Lance-Nakar Albert Ekka, PVC
- On 26 January 2000, marking 50 years of the establishment of the Indian Constitution, the Government of India issued a special commemorative stamp of Albert Ekka to honor the heroic deeds of the martyr.
Postage stamp of Albert Ekka was issued on 26 January 2000
- Jharkhand government has named one of the main intersections of Ranchi as Albert Ekka Chowk.
Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Near the main gate of the headquarters of 4 Corps at Tezpur, a grand statue of Lance Naik Albert Ekka was erected in his honour.
Death
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was seriously wounded during his first encounter with an enemy machine-gun post. As he advanced northward into the city, Albert and his company once again came under heavy enemy medium machine fire. Albert quickly moved forward and threw a grenade into the bunker and quickly killed the remaining members of the machine gun crew with his bayonet. During the action, Albert was seriously wounded and died after achieving his objectives and saving his company from further casualties.
Colonel OP Kohli, company commander of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, said,
Seeing this entire scene, my chest swelled with pride. I was waiting for Ekka to come out of that building below. I also saw a thin man coming down the stairs. I was watching him descend. Then suddenly Ekka’s body became loose and he fell on the ground.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka is the only Param Vir Chakra recipient for operations in the erstwhile East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh).
- He was the first soldier to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and was one of the four people to receive the prestigious medal during the war.
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka was buried at Sripalli village in Dukli, south of Agartala.
- Albert wore loose clothing, including his uniform, as a result of which he was often scolded by his superiors for being less smart.
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka was very shy and found it difficult to socialize with his fellow soldiers and superiors in his battalion.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn