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.
hello
jai gorkhali ..
A white Briton would have got a Victoria Cross.
Hardly a given that a white Briton would have got the VC – we don't hand them out like candy canes, they have been rare since WW2. It's been awarded 11 times to Nepalese and 29 times to Indians, and if the number of Gurkha recipients seems small you should remember that numerically they form only a small part of Commonwealth forces.
What a horribly racist think to say. Get to know tour criteria for the medal selection before you comment
This is a payback for the NEPALI soldiers who were killed by Zarkawi in IRAQ because they were non muslims.
It's like Call of Duty come alive... Nicely Done!
Geez! What would this guy have to do to win the Victoria Cross...eat his opponents?
wooow, 30-0? looks like we got an aimbotter here....
whatever u say we gurkha are the bravest person in the world!!
proud to be gurkha...
true brave solider....
"God of war"
Jai Mahakali...Ayeo Gurkhali..........
You go, man! I want you next to me the next time I go over there.
One Gurkha vs thirty Taliban? Hell, he had them out-numbered! Pound per pound, those little guys are some of the fiercest warriors in the history of combat!
During the Falklands campaign there was an Argentine unit that surrendered without firing a shot as soon as they found out they were facing Gurkha troops, such is there reputation.
As a retired professional soldier, I say this, there are only certain groups of soldiers from other countries that I'd trust my flanks to. The Brits, Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, Foreign Legion, AND the Gurkhas (yeah I know they are part of the British Army, but I thought the deserved their own category!).
Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Just goes to show – you don't mess with Gurkhas. Ever. Well done, sir.
Congratulations Sgt Pun. Job well done!
Love Gurkhas, the bravest, most fierce!! They're our Nepali pride.