The Inspiring Story of Havildar Hangpan Dada AC Who martyred Fighting Terrorists

Havildar Hangpan Dada’s story is a master class on courage under fire. The soldier from the Assam Regiment valiantly took on four terrorists last year in Jammu and Kashmir before laying his own life down in the mountains. It’s a story every Indian needs to be familiar with.

And a documentary is also released on Republic Day is trying to accomplish just that.

It was in May of 2016 that Havildar killed three terrorists and seriously injured a fourth one before losing his life at 12,500 feet. The story is even more incredible because despite the fact that he had been grievously hurt after combating two of the terrorists, he still entered a hand-to-hand combat with the third one.  For his feat, he was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously, which is the highest peacetime award recognising gallantry and valour.

His widow accepted it on his behalf on January 26, during the Republic Day Parade, from Pranab Mukherjee, the president of India.

Who was Havildar Hangpan Dada?

• Born on October 2, 1979, Havildar Hangpan Dada was a soldier in the Assam Regiment of the Indian Army. He is survived by his wife, Chasen Lowang, daughter Roukhin and son Senwang

• He is also served with the contingent at Barrackpore, Kargil, Lucknow and Multuk (Manipur).

Know about his bravado:

• At the night of May 26, 2016, Dada with his contingent spotted the movement of hiding terrorist at 13,000 feet in Naugam, Jammu and Kashmir

• With his remarkable understanding of the high altitude terrain, Dada surprised the terrorists by blocking their escape route

• Subsequently, Dada led a heavy attack on the terrorists and in the encounter that went on for over 24 hours, two terrorists were killed and the third one was died in a hand-to-hand scuffle with Dada

• Dada was hit badly from the shot of a fourth terrorist, and later succumbed to his injuries.  However, he also injured the terrorists.

Fondly called Havaldar Dada in the unit, he single-handedly neutralised three terrorists in the inhospitable Shamshabari Range in Kupwara district, Kashmir. On spotting four terrorists, he first blocked their escape route and then without a care for his safety engaged with the enemy. He moved to a flank and came in close contact with the terrorists. He killed two of them at close quarters but was injured in the process.

He didn’t stop there and went after the remaining two terrorists and came face to face with the third. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed the third militant. Despite the grave injury he continued in pursuit and was instrumental in eliminating the fourth terrorist trying to infiltrate.

Unfortunately, he made the supreme sacrifice in the process.

Jai hind sir..