Thomas Philipose (born 8 July 1942) was a

havildar Havildar or havaldar ( Hindustani: or (Devanagari), (Perso-Arabic)) is a rank in the Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese armies, equivalent to sergeant. It is not used in cavalry units, where the equivalent is daffadar. Like a British sergeant, ...

(sergeant) in the

Madras Regiment The Madras Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment of the Indian Army, originating in the 1750s. The regiment took part in numerous campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the post-independence Indian Army. History The town of Madras wa ...

during the

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 until the Pakistani capitulation in Dhaka on 16 Decem ...

. During the 1971 war, the Madras Regiment was tasked to capture Lalial and Sarajchak, prior to establishing a bridgehead across the river Basantar, in the

Battle of Basantar The Battle of Basantar also known as the Battle of Shakargarh or Battle of Barapind (December 4–16, 1971) was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector of India. The Indian troops won a har ...

. Enemy minefields covered the entire area and the Pakistani infantry was well entrenched in the area. Pakistani observation posts kept a close watch over Indian movement. Undaunted, the Madras Regiment attacked Lalial on 16 December. When the platoon commander and several others were wounded, Havildar Philipose took charge. Accompanied by only 15 men, the havildar led a fierce attack and secured Lalial. The enemy soon regrouped for a second attack. Philipose and his men, however rushed at the advancing enemy with fixed bayonets, Philipose was hit by a bullet but he kept going. The ferocity of the charge unnerved the Pakistanis and they began retreating. A stray bullet hit Philipose again, but he held on grimly till the battle was won. He was honored by being awarded with the

Mahavir Chakra The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) () is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the B ...

for his steadfastness and courage.

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