Britain's newest hero is a Nepali.
Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday awarded Britain's second-highest award for bravery, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, to Acting Sgt. Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
While stationed as a lone sentry at a checkpoint in Afghanistan's Helmand province on September 17, Pun fended off an attack by up to 30 Taliban fighters.
"There were many Taliban around me," Pun said in an interview with British Forces News. "I thought they are definitely going to kill me. ... I thought before they kill me I have to kill some of them."
During the 15-minute battle, Pun fired more than 400 rounds of ammunition, detonated 17 grenades and a mine and even threw his gun tripod at a Taliban fighter climbing toward his position, according to British Forces News.
"He was just about to climb up there and I hit (him) with my tripod and he fell down again," Pun told British Forces News.
Pun's actions saved the lives of three fellow soldiers at the checkpoint and were the "bravest seen in his battalion over two hard tours in Afghanistan," according to his medal citation.
Pun was not wounded in the firefight.
“That he survived unscathed is simply incredible," his medal citation says. “Throughout Dip’s actions he was under almost constant intense fire. Dip’s courage and gallantry were simply astonishing."
Pun, 31, joined the British military in 2000 and also has served in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Like other Gurkhas, Pun is from Nepal. The Gurkhas were incorporated into British forces after their fighting skill impressed the opposition British during the Nepal Wars of 1814 to 1816. As part of the peace treaty ending that conflict, Gurkhas were admitted into East India Company's army and then into the British military.
Gurkhas recruited solely in Nepal remain Nepalese citizens during their service. Gurkha unit officers are British.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Cool.
He culd do that
Ghurkas have an incredible tradition of being excellent combatants under fire, especially close in fighting. They are very disciplined, tough and resourceful. This soldier is another fine example of the Ghurkas.
"Billy Fish" in "The Man Who Would Be King" was a Ghurka.
Life imitates art (or is it the other way around!)
"Ayo Gurkhali!" ("The Gurkhas are here!")
Ok, I'm impressed! Way to go Sgt. Dipprasad Pun!! Would LOVE to have you as a patrol officer and rid us of the few "Taliban" drivers on the road here.
FLAWLESS VICTORY
Ghurka's have alway's been ass kickers. Its good to hear the tradition still carries on. My hat's off to this man.
Here is another act of single-handed bravery by a Gurkha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishnu_Shrestha
well shiver me timbers a real brave what ever he is!
no it was 300000000 taliban
fake
-EXTRODINARY – FOR MANY – NORMAL OR THE GURKHA "S :} – IF ANYONE WANTS A LAUGH – JUST READ THE HISTORY OF EXACTLY HOW THE GURKHAS BECAME -SOLDIERS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE :} – BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN THE EMPIRE WAS EMPIRE BUILDING – EVERY TRIBE GROUP WHOEVER THE BRITS CAME ACROSS THEY BATTLED WITH AND WON -ANY WAYS – SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE – THE BRITS SENT A PATROL OUT TO BATTLE WITH A TRIBAL PEOPLE AND IT WAS IN A REMOTE -NON FAMILLIAR AREA – ANYWAYS THE BRITS SENT TROOPS IN -"NONE RETURNED " THEY SENT MORE "NONE RETURNED – THEY KEPT DOING THIS FOR QUITE A AWHILE -FINAALY THEY FAOUND THEY COULD NOT WIN A WAR OR BATTLE WITH THIS HOLE IN THE WALL TRIBE – SO THEYU GOT SMART – THOUGHT – IF WE CANT BEAT THEM -WILL EMPLOY THEM – SO – THATS HOW THE GURKHAS BECAME – SOLDIERS IN THE BRITISH ARMY . ANY BATTLE TO GRAET FOR THE BRITS THEY SEND IN THE GURKHAS :} BY THE WAY THE CUSTOM GURKHAS KNIFE – IT TAKES FOUR MEN A COMPLETE DAY TO MAKE A CUSTOM MADE KNIFE FROM SCRRTCH FOR EACH MAN . AS FOR ACTING SGT DIPPRASAD – AGIAN YOU SHOW THE WORLD JUST HOW MAGNIFICENT – YOUR SOLDIERS ARE – MY HAT OFF TO YA CHAP :} SALUTE . HEEL CLICK – FOOT STOMP . -THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE . :} . -see ya
Held off? I believe they call that "camping".
Lol, you have a very valid point my friend
the queen is hilarious-this is better than sir mick jagger or sir ozzy osbourne
haha you kids and your video games... you have no concept of what tactics even are.
lol right on man. they would have cursed me for hours had i just camped out and beat the snot out of there advancement
now i know why gamers hate campers. look what they are capable of!!!
Outstanding job my friend!!!!! Thank you.
It's a legitimate strategy!
Sadly though, shortly after the incident he was banned from the Afghan server.
And then after stopping the 30th Taliban, Dipprasad Pun laid down his PS3 controller and let out a roar of glory while refilling his mountain dew.
Ha!!!
To all the doubters, I don't think they just hand out citations on personal testimony. Surely someone other than this hero had to do a body count.
"Britain's newest hero is a Nepali."
Uh.. why is that written as if it's unusual?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigade_of_Gurkhas_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross
Probably because he's not a British citizen?
Yep he is camper he should be withdraw from this war.
It's so annoying when you get killed by cheating camper.
Its so funny when you throw a fit because someone who has tactical knowledge (camping) kills you. why would you run around dips***