Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC (27 December 1942 – 3 December 1971) was an Indian soldier. He was killed in action in the Battle of Gangasagar, during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. He was posthumously awarded India's highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra, for his valour in the face of the enemy.
Early life Albert Ekka was born on 27 December 1942 into a Christian Kurukh family in the village of Zari, in the erstwhile Ranchi district of Bihar Province, now part of Gumla district in Jharkhand. His parents were Julius Ekka and Mariam Ekka. Hunting was a common sport among his community, and Ekka was interested in it from his childhood. With his experience of hunting in jungles, he was able to be a better soldier with his skilful use of ground and movements. As he grew, Ekka developed interest for the army, and was enrolled in the Bihar Regiment on 27 December 1962.
Military career After the 14th Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards was raised in January 1968, Ekka was transferred to that unit. He saw action in counter-insurgency operations while in the North East. During the preparations anticipation of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Ekka was promoted to Lance Naik.
Battle of Gangasagar As the war broke out, 14 Guards was attached to the IV Corps. Gangasagar, located to the south of the border town of Akhaura in erstwhile Comilla district of Bangladesh, was crucial for the advancement of IV Corps, and 14 Guards was tasked with its capture. As the operation began, the unit placed itself south of Gangasagar, about from Akhaura railway station, and formed its defences. The high ground around the railway station was their main defence, followed by anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Pakistani positions were well entrenched here. During a patrol, Pakistani troops were found moving on the railway tracks. Soon two companies of the battalion attacked the enemy positions along the track.
Citation The Param Vir Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army Website reads as follows:
Legacy
Lance-Naik Albert Ekka was posthumously awarded India's highest wartime gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra. In 2000, on the occasion of 50th Republic day, the Government of India issued a postal stamp in his memory. A native of present-day Jharkhand, he was honoured by naming the major intersection in front of Firayalal store in Ranchi as Albert Ekka Chowk, which also bears his statue. A block (sub-district) in Gumla has also been created in his name - Albert Ekka (Jari) block. There is an eco park in Tripura named after him (Albert Ekka Park) for his action to save Agartala from Pakistan during 1971 Indo-Pak war. There is a sports stadium named after him at Kamptee cantonment(Nagpur District, Maharashtra).
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