Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse, MVC (15 July 1974 – 28 June 1999) was an Indian Army officer of 2 Rajputana Rifles, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest gallantry award, for exemplary valour in combat during operations in the Kargil War in 1999.
Kengurüse was born in Nerhema village in Kohima district, Nagaland
Kargil War
His commando platoon established a foothold at 16000 feet (-10 degrees Celsius) on June 28, 1999, at Lone Hill in the Drass sector, inspired by the renowned headhunter Perheile, who happened to be his great great grandfather. He climbed barefoot to the top of the mountain and killed four infiltrators before being shot. Capt. Kenguruse is one of the most decorated troops and officers of the Kargil War, ranking among the top 15 overall.
Maha Vir Chakra
CITATION
CAPTAIN NEIKEZHAKUO KENGURUSE (IC-58396)
2 RAJPUTANA RIFLES (ASC)(POSTHUMOUS)
Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse was the Ghatak Platoon Commander during the attack on Area Black Rock in the Drass Sector on the night of 28 June 1999 during Operation VIJAY.
He volunteered to undertake a daring commando mission of attacking a well-sited enemy machine gun position, on a cliff face, which was heavily interfering with all the approaches to the main objective of the Battalion. As the commando team scaled the cliff face, it came under intense mortar and automatic fire, which caused heavy casualties.
The officer sustained a splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the assault. On reaching the final cliff face, the commando team was halted by a sheer rock wall that separated them from the enemy machine-gun post. The officer took off his shoes to get a good grip and scaled the rock wall carrying with him a rocket launcher, which he fired at the enemy position.
Unmindful of his personal safety, the officer thereafter charged at the enemy position and personally killed two men with his rifle and another two with his commando knife in a hand to hand combat before succumbing to his injury.
By his daredevil act, Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse single-handedly neutralised the enemy position, which had tied up the Battalion’s progress.
Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse displayed conspicuous gallantry indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army.
