Flights Of Fantasy
[ M Panging Pao ]
This article is about the saga of bravery and gallantry of a proud son of Arunachal Pradesh, Naik Tape Yajo, Kirti Chakra (Posthumous). Many Arunachalese do not know about the bravery and sacrifice of this proud son of Arunachal Pradesh.
Naik Tape Yajo, son of Tamang Yajo and Yappon Yajo was born on 19 August, 1977 at Manigong in West Siang district. He was a resident of Village Bogdo, Aalo and alumnus of Nehru Memorial High School, Aalo. He was a keen sportsman and wanted to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. Naik Tape Yajo was enrolled into the 1 Assam Regiment of Indian Army on 26 December, 1995. He served with sincerity and distinction in the Army for over 12 years and was promoted to the rank of Naik.
On 21 September, 2008, during operations against terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir, he volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to eliminate terrorists in Poonch Sector of Jammu & Kashmir. During the operation, terrorists attacked unexpectedly from a very close range with heavy automatic gun fire. Being an Arunachali warrior and displaying most conspicuous bravery with utter disregard for his own safety, Naik Tape Yajo and his team charged the terrorists and he killed one terrorist in close combat. In the ensuing gunfight at close range, Naik Tape Yajo was wounded with bullet injury.
Despite being wounded and bleeding profusely, he charged the terrorists at close range. His bravery motivated his comrades and in the ensuing close combat, he and his team killed three hardcore terrorists. His gallant action led to the elimination of the terrorists without causing further damage to the nation. Being grievously injured, Naik Tape Yajo succumbed to his injuries and laid down his life on 22 September, 2008.
Considering his gallant action, bravery and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, Naik Tape Yajo was awarded the second highest peacetime gallantry award of the nation, the Kirti Chakra posthumously.
The Kirti Chakra is equivalent to the Maha Vir Chakra.
There is a stadium in Aalo named after Amarveer Tape Yajo. He is survived by his 75 year-old-father, 70 year-old-mother, wife, a son and two daughters. Naik Tape Yajo is a pride of the Arunachal Pradesh and India. (The contributor is retired Group Captain, Indian Air Force)
