Major Manoj Pandey: Hero of Operation Talwar in Kargil War

Major Manoj Pandey, a Vir Chakra recipient, is remembered for his heroism during the 1999 Kargil War. Born in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, he came from a military family and chose to become an infantry officer despite qualifying for medical studies.

Commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the Mahar Regiment in December 1992, Pandey earned the Sena Medal for his leadership during ‘Operation Rhino’ in Assam. During the Kargil conflict, he was deployed to the Saltoro Ridge in the Turtuk sub-sector.

Leading ‘Operation Talwar’ on June 13, 1999, Pandey and his unit advanced through extreme temperatures ranging from minus 40 to 60 degrees Celsius. Despite heavy artillery and mortar fire from Pakistani positions, his actions led to the capture of Point 5,765, which was subsequently renamed ‘Talwar Top’ in his honor.