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.
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I don't know how he detonated a mine during a firefight. Somebody asked how he got 400 rounds off in 15 minutes. I don't know if he had a belt fed Minimi LMG which fires around 700 rounds a minute with a 100 round belt or an SA80 which fires over 600 rounds a minute and has a 30 round magazine. One can zip through 30 rounds in a couple of seconds and do a quick mag reload. It's not good ammo management but it's doable.
Mine as in a claymore mine.
Not good ammo management? I would say that ammo management was not his first priority. Let's say he was left with a couple rounds, but was dead. Would that have been 'better ammo management'? Not trying to argue hear, as the point is he did a great job, and incredible job. Our troops should have as much ammo as they lay down.
easy a m249 squad automatic weapon 200 box drum and about 4 boxes totaling 800 rounds claymores and how he found 17 grenades beyond me
apparently it was good ammo management.... he is still here!!
he didnt find anything he already had the stuff set up. they were at a checkpoint. the mine was set up in advance in case they were attacked and the attackers get too close. and im sure he had an ammo point at the checkpoint.
I'm guessing its a Claymore mine, or something like a Claymore.
Not sure what kind of mine he issued, but he could easliy do so, with the manual detonator right by his side. Much like the clappers used in Nam, just click, click and BOOM.
What kind of a name is Pun?
Local kind of name, dumbo..
It's a common last name in Nepal.
Commanche Indian
Excuse the Pun but this shows ppl in the world ohowits done in your own neibourhoods and playgrounds...
Pun intended
What kind of name is JD? Jeez dude, not everyone in the world is Tom, or Rick, or Bill.
I am from Nepal. Pun is common Nepalese name. "Pu" is pronounced as "pu" as in "put". Try pronouncing Pun like you pronounce Put.
Yes these guys are born soldiers. Probably his father, grand father, uncles, cousins, etc are all in Army. His name should be spelled as Dip Prasad Pun (First name, middle name, last name)
Sorry that nobody but Mr. Babbar got your "Fletch" reference. Rest assured that it didn't go unappreciated.
Excellent job. For decades Gurkhas have had the reputation of being tough guys and this one is certainly no exception.
The Gurkha reputation lives on
Gurkhas are the absolute best.
Seems like this is one guy you don't ever want to mess with. I wonder if the Taliban are really embarrassed that one soldier mopped the floor with them? They have to wonder who is better trained and if Allah is really on their side?
"Fending off" is not the same as "mopping the floor".
The Talibs have managed to stymie the US and NATO, so Allah doesn't seem to have forsaken them yet.
I dunno 1 man beating up, killing and fending off 30 armed Taliban insurgents coming to kill him and his crew sounds like a mop up to me. Thats some Jackie Chan sheit. Great work
Pun fully intended
gurkhas are the fremen of real life.
Britain's second highest award? He saved three fellow soldiers and did Audie Murphy type fighting. What do you have to do to win their highest award?
good point....
You probably have to be injured or die to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Be British.
The recipient would probably have to be a British citizen
What do they have to do to be awarded the highest order? I'm guessing they have to die while being brave. Seems to be the usual order of things...
Usually take the death of the recipient.
Being British is not a requirement to be awarded the VC; The Gurkhas have in fact won a relatively high proportion of VCs over the years, testament to the fact that they are indeed amazing soldiers, as anyone who has been through Sandhurst will testify.
wow!
....I wonder if they actually hit him, how many more he would have killed? Good job soldiering brotha!
Ayo Gurkhali !!
"If anyone tells you he is never afraid, either he is a liar or he is a Gurkha".... Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
You guys are amazing....how could you even begin to hate on someone like this....Ill just say it, your all a bunch of racists!
Way to go Soldier.