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.
shoot em' all sort em' out later!!
really people why all the trash talking? Britain is an ally of the U.S and they produce some of the best soldiers in the World this includes the gurkhas they are bad mofos, not to be played with job well done Sgt. Dipprasad Pun
CONGRATULATIONS to a BRAVE man! So glad he was recognized. A troop of 10,000 like him and all could be wiped out.
Hoo Raa
The Gurkha Rifles are some of the best soldiers in the world, period. It is a very selective process to become a Gurkha, for both the enlisted and the officers. During the Falklands campaign, there were Argentine units that surrendered when they found out they were facing the Gurkhas, rather than fight. I have friend, retired Army Green Beret, who has worked with them. He has a lot of respect for them. In fact, the US Navy employs Gurkha guards as sentries at its base in Naval Support Activity Bahrain and on the US Navy side of the pier at Mina Salaman. The Gurkhas work alongside Navy members in day-to-day operations.
Nepal is with Britain in war. What's Britain doing for Nepal. Britain is maintaining moral support to India for suppressing and exploiting Nepal. If Britain really respect Nepal, then save it from India. The description of exploitation of India doesn't seem in media due to the India's ghost.
India ever supported Nepal; except central govt. services Nepalese are as equally eligible as Indians to get a government jobs in India and there is no counting how many Nepalese works in private sectors!! HOW ONE CAN SAY INDIA SUPPRESSED NEPAL!!
I was a U.S. Army paratrooper. If we weren't telling war stories about the Green Berets, then we were telling war stories about the Gurkhas. The Gurkhas were always portrayed as brave, skilled, and considerate. The Green Berets were always brave, skilled, and far too showy.
My hat goes off to Dipprasad Pun.
LOVE the Ghurkas! Incredible fighters and tough as nails. The kukri is my favorite blade as well. Btw, entry to serve with the Brits is incredibly arduous and difficult. Last year 230 Nepalese Gurkhas were allowed to join and serve out of 28,000 applicants.
just a great genuine military report-of course this battle report is correct-the ghurhkas[sp?]have been fearsome fighters since ww2-great night preditors[with knifeves-off with the throat]great supporters of india,british,the west,just really patriotic people-he is welcom in vancouver anytime-newsvine can give him my em-these people need long term support-we are all in a very messy world-need stable clear thinking citizens-good rightup?-newsvine-give this man my em-glad to support/jdhuggard,western canada
Tom Cruise should play this role in Mission Impossible V......
what a hacker
This guy is a HERO! HE held off 30 crazy islamists (muslims) alone. If there is a god, it appears to me that the favored are not the islamists; for their religion's backbone is an alloy consisting of hate, murder, and bigotry.
Hey You! what the hell is you saying? Did you think all Muslim are Terriost.You Have Verry Verry bad mind.Don't Ur School Teachear said "Respect all religion". Who said all Muslim are Terriost? Your Family? Your Teacher ? or Your God? There are Christen,Hindu,Buddhist and Muslim also r terriost in our socity.who give you that right to say only muslim r terriost? Beacuse of your minded people make them terriost.that mean u r terriost.
i don't have petty on terriost.i hate them.but i have a problem with ur word that u said.I m From Hindu cominuty.In My society there are Hindu, Muslim and Christen.because of ur that third class word people r going to be a terriost.stop saying All Muslim R terriost.
My current comment only for James Who said all Muslim Are Terriost.
define terrorisum? the american thinks who ever oppose their policy are terrorist
America does not believe that all that oppose them are terrorist.......America believes and is founded with principles that those that take the dignity and freedoms from the "brothers and sisters", which is international, is a terrorist...........Those that rule by fear in order to inflict and control are terrorist...........Those that oppose America are merely challengers to the policy and every Great nation and republic must have those...................America would not be here without as the driving force of the world....
islamic terrorirst are the only large, global, and religiously defined group of terrorirst on the planet. Not all muslims are terrorirst but islamists have the largest portion of extremists of any group...
what about the christian crusaders? just have a thorough study of your own history
One bad ass dude right there.
Guess the Taliban never stepped into a Nepali tornado before.
Definitely award worthy fighting.
No, Pun intended.
I think I just wet myself laughing
It appears this man's efforts are receiving mixed reviews. Shame on you doubters of heroic action. Pick up a rifle and stand a post, only then will you be able to appreciate the magnitude of what he managed to accomplish. Glad he's on our side.
Well said brother
"one sentry at a checkpoint"
Not the best plan...
Evidently they had the right man for the job. Maybe one was enough.