Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was an Indian Army officer and the only United Nations Peacekeeper to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India’s highest military decoration for valor. He belonged to a Rajput family originally from village Jamuwal (now in Pakistan), though his family presently resides in Jangla near Dinangar.

Early Life and Background

Captain Salaria hailed from a Rajput family with roots in the Punjab region. Despite migration during Partition, his lineage remains proud of their martial heritage.

Military Career

He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Gorkha Rifles, which was deployed as part of India’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force during the Congo Crisis in 1961.

Battle of Elizabethville (5 December 1961)

During the operation to clear a roadblock established by gendarmerie forces at a strategic roundabout in Elizabethville, Katanga, Captain Salaria commanded two sections of Gorkha soldiers supported by two Swedish Armoured Personnel Carriers.

As his force advanced about 1,500 yards from the roadblock, they came under heavy automatic and small-arms fire from an enemy force of approximately 90 men, which also had two armoured cars positioned on Salaria’s right flank.

Recognizing that this subsidiary roadblock threatened the main operation, Captain Salaria led a daring bayonet charge, wielding grenades, khukris, and supported by a rocket launcher. During the fierce engagement, he personally killed approximately 40 enemy soldiers and destroyed both armoured cars.

Though seriously wounded by automatic fire in the neck, Captain Salaria continued to fight until he collapsed from severe bleeding. His fearless leadership and valor inspired his men to hold their ground and inflict heavy casualties, ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat despite their superior numbers and tactical advantage.

Legacy and Honors

For his extraordinary gallantry and supreme sacrifice, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. His actions remain a distinguished example of leadership and courage in peacekeeping operations.

Family and Personal Notes

Captain Salaria’s widow has clarified and emphasized his Rajput heritage, expressing concern over incorrect claims in some publications that referred to him as a Saini Sikh without proper research. His brother, Professor SS Salaria, passed away in December 2020.