NEW DELHI: A bronze bust has been installed at a park in Defence Colony in honour of Second Lt Puneet Nath Datt of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, who was killed on July 20, 1997, during a counter-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir’s Naushera.Leading his men in clearing a building held by militants, the 24-year-old officer had displayed exceptional gallantry before succumbing to his injuries. He was posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration. He was the third generation of his family to serve in uniform. His father, Major (retd) Pramod Nath Datt, also served in 1/11 Gorkha Rifles.Veterans of 11 Gorkha Rifles, NCC cadets and Defence Colony Residents Welfare Committee came together Monday to unveil the bronze bust at Puneet Nath Datt Park in D block, on the 29th anniversary of his martyrdom.In line with current Services Headquarters protocol reserving a uniformed guard of honour for National War Memorial, the organisers, led by Maj Gen Kr Vijay Singh Lalotra (retd) on behalf of Maj Gen NS Nair (retd) and veterans of 11 Gorkha Rifles, worked out a new format that preserved military dignity and protocol.Six colonels (retd) of the regiment — a former Chief of Defence Staff, an Army commander, a deputy chief of Army Staff, a military secretary, an adjutant general, and a deputy chief, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff — attended the event alongside the current colonel of the regiment, serving officers and veterans of 11 Gorkha Rifles. Wreaths were laid by former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan (retd) and by RWA, on behalf of the colonel of the regiment, and senior officers and veterans, followed by a guard of honour by an NCC contingent.Lt Gen Atulya Solankey, who was Lt Datt’s platoon commander at Indian Military Academy, spoke of his exemplary commitment and physical and moral courage. His remarks struck an emotional chord, as did a brief speech by Lt Datt’s coursemate, Capt Akhilesh, who spoke of his leadership and camaraderie and how he always had the back of his friends and juniors. He was joined by four fellow coursemates in a spontaneous salute. Veteran Wing Commander Praful Bakshi recited a poem in his tribute.Recorded messages were shared by Maj Gen Nair (retd), the oldest surviving commanding officer of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles at 98, and Lt Col K Ajit Singh, the battalion’s oldest veteran at 99.The bust was sculpted by artist Anil Sutar, known for his work on the world’s tallest statue, Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The project was overseen by Brigadier Amul Asthana (retd) of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles and Satish Bakshi, Lt. Datt’s uncle.
