Manish Pitambare
Manish Pitambare | |
|---|---|
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service | Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1996–2006 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 3 Para Regiment |
| Awards | Kirti Chakra |
Manish Pitambare was a paratrooper from the Special Forces of the Indian Army who posthumously received the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peace-time gallantry decoration.
Biography
After obtaining his Secondary School Certificate with almost 90% marks, Pitambare joined the Armed Forces after his SSC.[1] He went on to join the National Defence Academy in Pune, and IMA After completing the training he joined the Army in 1996.[2] He was made a Major before the age of 31.[1]
He married his second wife (Mughda) in 2003[2] and the couple had a daughter Yukta in 2005.[2]. According to his family sources, his first wife (name withheld for privacy) divorced him because she could not bear the strain of him constantly in danger in the treacherous battlefield of Kashmir. The fact of his first marriage was kept secret from media, after his family received media attention following his death.
He was part of the team that tracked down Al-Badr militant Toufik Akmal, wanted for his suspected links to the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings.[2]
He was killed following a night-long gun battle in south Kashmir's Bejibehara town on 27 November 2006, when he was a member of the 3 Para Regiment.[3] During the battle, Pitambare shot dead Suhail Faizal, one of Hizbul Mujahideen’s top commanders in Kashmir.[2]
In January 2007, Pitambare was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest Peace-Time Gallantry Award.[4]
References
- ^ a b Dhuri, Shailesh (28 November 2006). "An obituary for Major Manish Pitambare". Rediff News, India. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ^ a b c d e Rangnekar, Prashant (30 November 2006). "SMS to Thane, death on duty in J&K". The Indian Express Limited. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ^ Ahmad, Mukhtar (28 November 2006). "Army major, Hizb terrorist killed in Kashmir encounter". Rediff India Abroad. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ^ "Western Command GOC-in-C to receive award". Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-10.