NK Imliakum Ao, Mahavir Chakra
Sepoy Imliakum Ao from Chuchuyimpang Village, Mokokchung, who received the award on Republic Day, 2000, belongs to 2nd Battalion Naga Regiment.
Born on July 25, 1976, he joined the infantry unit before the age of 17 in May 1994. His citation in the Indian Army MVC Awardees states that Sepoy ImliAkum Ao formed part of an Assault Group that was tasked to silence a sentry guarding the outer perimeter of an enemy mortar position on July 8, 1999. The mortar position was at a height of 15,000 feet in the Mushkoh Valley in Jammu and Kashmir.
The account of the assault states that he neutralised the enemy sentry and another before storming the mortar position along with the assault group. The capture of the post resulted in the recovery of a huge stockpile of ammunition, including 120mm and 81mm mortar shells.
According to a news report in In.com, it was a “life-threatening mission” but Ao “volunteered to destroy a Pakistani ammunition dump,” the lifeline of several mortars deployed in the Muskoh Valley during the Kargil war.
“Not only did Havildar Ao accomplish the impossible mission successfully, he did so without a single casualty,” it said “using only his bare hand.”
An officer in his regiment also told Mumbai Midday though he was injured in the assault, no one was killed and Ao was awarded the MVC for his single-handed assault.
“He is a remarkable football player and archer. The unit loves him. He is very helpful and always ready to carry out impossible missions,” a young officer from Ao’s unit told the Midday.
“His determination, grit, cool confidence and raw courage in the face of the enemy was exemplary in the true spirit and traditions of the Indian Army and the Regiment which was a factor in eliminating the enemy from the almost indomitable mortar position,” the Indian Army MVC citation reads.
Imliakum Ao is presently in the 2nd Battalion, Jat Regiment.