Let this be a warning. If you value your life, do not piss off a Gurkha soldier. Corporal Dipprasad Pun single-handedly opened a can of whoop ass on 30 Taliban soldiers and has been awarded Britain’s second highest honor, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, for his heroics.
The Daily Mail UK tells the remarkable story:
… The soldier fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine to thwart the Taliban assault on his checkpoint near Babaji in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, last September.
… Defending the base from the roof, the Gurkha remained under continuous attack from rocket-propelled grenades and AK47s for more than a quarter of an hour.
Most of the militants were about 50ft away from him, but at one point he turned around to see a ‘huge’ Taliban fighter looming over him.
The soldier picked up his machine gun and fired a long burst at the man until he fell off the roof.
When another insurgent tried to climb up to his position, the Gurkha attempted to shoot him with his SA80 rifle. But it did not work, either because it had jammed or because the magazine was empty.
He first grabbed a sandbag but it had not been tied up and the contents fell to the floor.
Then he seized the metal tripod of his machine gun and threw it at the approaching Taliban militant, shouting in Nepali ‘Marchu talai’ (‘I will kill you’) and knocking him down.
Two insurgents were still attacking by the time the heroic Gurkha had used up all his ammunition, but he set off a Claymore mine to repel them.
Remarkable. And we love the name of the award. The Conspicuous Gallentry Cross. Sounds so very, very British, doesn’t it?
“Pip, pip, cheerio. I’ve just killed 30 of those pesky Taliban chaps. Care for a spot of tea?”
Source: Daily Mail UK
This post was last modified on June 4, 2011
View Comments (58)
Obama would have him tried for war crimes.
Remember guys, no matter how good a job you do, no matter how cool you think you are:
theres always some asian guy one upping you.
Unnecessary dude... truly unnecessary...
it's ok i got third down, his/her extremely unecessary and rude comment should now be hidden. That felt almost as good as downing Olivia.
As to you 'MyNewName' I really don't care if you think that asians are always one-upping us, this man risked his life. There is no need to down his bravery. The honor of hiding your insanely jerkish, for lack of better words, comment gave me a feeling of satisfaction.
*high five*
Sorry, haven't seen many Asian heavy equipment operators.
they are too busy building out the infrastructure for Offshore Inc.
I don't know how to do the link thing, I ain't no 'puter geek. You can find the story on KOAT.com, channel 7 from Albuquerque. One of our own, a New Mexico soldier, will recieve the Congressional Medal of Honor in July. Only two men living have recieved our countrys highest honor during the fights in Afganistan and Iraq, all the other brave men died doing their duty.
There is no way I can say how proud all New Mexicans are of Sgt. Petry, I don't have the words to do so.
I heard about him on CNN.. he fought nearly to his death, defending wounded buddies... lost a hand tossing out a well cooked grenade. Brutal and brave as hell
He lost most of his arm too, the medics had to do what they had to do to keep him alive. The planning is in the works and the celebration for this man will be huge when he gets back from D.C.
duuuuuuuuuuuuude
i mean, DUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!!!!
dude.
Amazing, even for a Gurkha, and they are just professionally amazing! Friend of mine was Royal Army and worked with them-- one day he asked for volunteers for paratroop training, explained how it involved jumping out of airplanes behind enemy lines, etc. He was a little puzzled that only about half raised their hands -hesitantly- to volunteer. Seems he didn't explain it clearly enough -- they didn't understand they would be wearing parachutes! Everyone was on board after that!
BTW, that kukri is FAR from ceremonial! It is sharp and heavy and with one good swing it will takes heads off.
...and it never comes out without drawing blood.
Call of Duty: Ghurkha Warfare (Chuck Norris Edition)
I would totally play that.
I served with Ghurkas in Bosnia. They are extremely professional, tough little war fighters. It doesn't surprise me in the least he was able to kick butt!
This is definitely my kind of guy. Right along with the Soldier that chased down a bank robber after first securing his children behind furniture in the bank lobby. Y'all go now.
I want some of that good stuff that Reid and Rangle are smoking! That's got to be better stuff then Snoop grows.
His actions, while under enemy fire and in the defense of his post, are the seeds of legend! I think the reason he isn't receiving the greater award is due less to the fact that he's Nepalese, but rather due to the fact that there were no (present or surviving) witnesses to his heroism.
Re: Victoria Cross award.
Your'e correct. To win this prestigious award, the act must be witnessed by the enemy. This Gurkha wiped out all witnesses, NOTHING to do with rank, class or being Nepalese ( the Gurkhas have won many VC's )
Example to our American friends:
The first man to win TWO Victoria Crosses was a Captain Noel Chevasse of the Liverpool Scottish regiment in WW1
He was a doctor/ medical officer who saved lives - not took them.
Bravery isn't all about taking out enemy, he died from his wounds and was awarded his second VC because his men AND the enemy witnessed his extraordinary acts of courage.
Okay I laughed but now I don't know if you meant that as a joke or not :-\
I mean that seems like a plausible explanation (?)
No KQ, no joke really. For our big awards there are usually two or more witnesses to the event in question. I mean, someone has to live to tell your story! It usually starts out with something like: "Do you know what that f***ing crazy bastard did?"
It is too bad that there weren't some drones or something taping it. It would have been awesome video.
Well, we could ask the Talib,............oh, right. No survivors.
Which in the end is the best part about this story. I am thinking he probably doesn't give a true crap about the award. The award I am sure is knowing he sent them packing to Allah sooner rather than later.
All in a day's work. He also killed them all in an effort to survive himself. If he had left one of the murdering bastards alive, then he himself would be dead, and he certainly doesn't want that. I'm just glad he came out of it in good condition, and has been recognized for his bravery.
Me too.