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.
The fact the he and 3 of his fellow soldiers were in a situation where they were surrounded by 30+ Taliban shows how incompetent our Leaders are. "You men will be fine at this outpost, the Taliban wont attack it. Besides, if you need backup we're standing by 300 miles away, just call us."
"The Gurkhas were incorporated into British forces after their fighting skill impressed the opposition British during the Nepal Wars of 1814 to 1816."
I guess the Gurkhas are still going strong in 2011. Way to go dude!!
lol...this is fake.
Why don't you ask your mommy to give you a ride over to the Gurkha barracks so you can tell them personally how you think they're liars?
Your problem is time – you think 30 guys rushed him all at once.
yea...I'm sure the 30 guys decided to go one at a time, perhaps waiting a minute before it was the next guy's turn.
once prince herry in his visit to Afghanistan, he said, if you are with gurkha's u r in the safe zone in the war
Yeah, If i were the coalition commandeers, I would play up the part of Pun, not even getting a scratch, Humiliate the insurgents.
scavanger pro perk – sleight of hand pro – Hacker pro
Hahahaha, good stuff!
that what happens when Chuck norris blesses you for a momment lmao
Man his KDR must be through the roof. Maybe he had chopper gunner.
I haven't even had a 30 kill streak on Black Ops.
LMAO!
Thats because after 25 kill, you can drop a tactical nuke and it would have been game over.
Thanks for the info Ronald.
The Taliban should feel lucky he never drew his Kukri.
I bet I know what Dip was saying during the battle (perhaps singing): "K-K-K-Kat-man-du...that's really where I'm going to!....Oh, If I ever get out of here...I'm go'n to Kat-man-du!"
I fought with some bad ass South Korean Marines in Vietnam in operation Defiant Stand....if you ask me North Korea would be better off if they just left the South alone
I heard this guy is Jacki Chan's nephew, son of Bruce Lee
Chuck Norris would be proud.
Why? Can this guy act?
Act? Why would Chuck care? He can't either.
Dang, he held of 30 guys AND avoided getting wounded? That's impressive.
Good Lord! I bet when he was camping up there he was using the BoomShield...
UT2004!!!! MEGA KILL!!!!!
uyy this guy is a combination of Jacky Chan and Bruce lee in steroids, remind me for Call Of duty OPS, lol
Sick! Don't know why I can't stop laughing though...
This guy should also get our Medal of honor! I know he Is not a citizen but waivers should be demanded for his action for freedom! I mean this medal is technically for officers but enlisted soldiers have been know to receive this as well!
Thank you pun from the bottom of my heart and my entire comunity
The M.O.Honor is not only meant for officers, and he wouldnt even qualify seeing that he's not a US soldier, nor did his actions save any US soldiers.